THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2025

“THE SCOREBOARD”

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 7 SCHEDULE

ADAMS CENTRAL (6-0) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (2-4)

ALEXANDRIA (4-2) AT FRANKTON (0-6)

ANDREAN (5-1) AT ANGOLA (3-3)

ATTICA (2-4) AT RIVERTON PARKE (6-0)

BATESVILLE (3-3) AT GREENSBURG (0-6)

BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (5-1) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (5-1)

BEECH GROVE (4-2) AT SPEEDWAY (0-6)

BLACKFORD (0-6) AT OAK HILL (3-3)

BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (6-0) AT COLUMBUS NORTH (4-2)

BLUFFTON (6-0) AT HERITAGE (4-2)

BOONE GROVE (2-3) AT WHITING (2-4)

BOONVILLE (3-3) AT PRINCETON (3-3)

BREBEUF JESUIT (0-6) AT ARSENAL TECH (2-4)

BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (6-0) AT MADISON (0-6)

CALUMET (5-1) AT WHEELER (5-0)

CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (0-6) AT UNION CITY (1-5)

CARMEL (5-1) AT BEN DAVIS (1-5)

CASCADE (6-0) AT GREENCASTLE (3-3)

CASTLE (5-1) AT JASPER (5-1)

CASTON (2-4) AT TRITON (4-2)

CENTERVILLE (4-2) AT UNION COUNTY (1-5)

CHARLESTOWN (5-1) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (2-4)

CHURUBUSCO (4-2) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (1-5)

CLINTON CENTRAL (2-4) AT CARROLL (FLORA) (3-2)

CLINTON PRAIRIE (3-2) AT TAYLOR (4-2)

CLOVERDALE (3-3) AT BROWN COUNTY (1-5)

COLUMBUS EAST (3-3) AT BLOOMINGTON NORTH (3-3)

CONCORD (5-1) AT GOSHEN (2-4)

CONNERSVILLE (3-3) AT EAST CENTRAL (5-1)

COVENANT CHRISTIAN (1-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (2-4)

COVINGTON (4-2) AT SEEGER (5-1)

CULVER ACADEMY (2-4) AT BREMEN (4-2)

DECATUR CENTRAL (4-2) AT GREENWOOD (2-4)

DELPHI (2-4) AT SHERIDAN (4-1)

DELTA (3-3) AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS (5-1)

EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (1-5) AT LAKE STATION (5-1)

EAST NOBLE (6-0) AT COLUMBIA CITY (4-2)

EASTERN (PEKIN) (1-5) AT SALEM (2-4)

EASTERN GREENE (1-5) AT NORTH DECATUR (5-1)

EASTSIDE (4-2) AT FREMONT (4-2)

EDINBURGH (1-4) AT NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (3-3)

ELWOOD (2-4) AT MISSISSINEWA (6-0)

EVANSVILLE HARRISON (0-6) AT EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (1-5)

EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (2-4) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (0-6)

EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-0) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (4-2)

FAIRFIELD (3-3) AT GARRETT (2-4)

FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-6) AT FORT WAYNE WAYNE (0-6)

FORT WAYNE DWENGER (4-2) AT FORT WAYNE LUERS (3-3)

FORT WAYNE NORTH (4-2) AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-5)

FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (5-1) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (2-4)

FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (2-4) AT SOUTH VERMILLION (2-4)

FRANKLIN (3-3) AT PLAINFIELD (5-1)

FRANKLIN CENTRAL (4-2) AT FISHERS (4-2)

FRANKLIN COUNTY (4-2) AT SOUTH DEARBORN (4-2)

FRONTIER (6-0) AT TRI-COUNTY (1-5)

GARY WEST (2-3) AT GRIFFITH (5-1)

GIBSON SOUTHERN (5-1) AT WASHINGTON (3-3)

GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (3-3) AT YORKTOWN (5-1)

GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (1-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (5-1)

GUERIN CATHOLIC (3-3) AT PIKE (1-5)

HAGERSTOWN (3-3) AT WINCHESTER (5-1)

HAMILTON HEIGHTS (2-4) AT TWIN LAKES (5-1)

HAMMOND CENTRAL (0-6) AT HAMMOND MORTON (4-2)

HAMMOND NOLL (2-4) AT RIVER FOREST (2-4)

HIGHLAND (2-4) AT MUNSTER (1-5)

HOBART (4-2) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (3-3)

HOMESTEAD (4-2) AT CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (3-3)

INDIAN CREEK (4-2) AT TRITON CENTRAL (5-1)

INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (5-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (3-3)

INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (4-2) AT CENTER GROVE (6-0)

INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (5-1) AT HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (3-3)

INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (4-2) AT CINCINNATI LASALLE (OHIO)

INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (4-2) AT PROVIDENCE (4-2)

INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (1-5) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE (0-6)

IRVINGTON PREP (1-4) AT FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (1-5)

JAY COUNTY (2-4) AT SOUTH ADAMS (3-3)

JEFFERSONVILLE (2-4) AT NEW ALBANY (0-6)

JIMTOWN (1-5) AT KNOX (6-0)

LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (1-5) AT TIPTON (3-3)

LAFAYETTE JEFF (5-1) AT KOKOMO (2-4)

LAKE CENTRAL (2-4) AT CHESTERTON (4-2)

LAKELAND (4-2) AT WEST NOBLE (5-1)

LAPEL (6-0) AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (4-2)

LAPORTE (2-4) AT CROWN POINT (6-0)

LAVILLE (2-4) AT JOHN GLENN (2-4)

LAWRENCE CENTRAL (3-3) AT NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (2-4)

LAWRENCEBURG (5-1) AT RUSHVILLE (1-5)

LEBANON (5-1) AT DANVILLE (3-3)

LEO (5-1) AT HUNTINGTON NORTH (2-4)

LEWIS CASS (4-2) AT MACONAQUAH (6-0)

LINTON (4-2) AT NORTH KNOX (3-3)

LOWELL (5-1) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (0-6)

MADISON-GRANT (5-1) AT EASTBROOK (6-0)

MANCHESTER (4-2) AT WHITKO (1-5)

MARTINSVILLE (2-4) AT PERRY MERIDIAN (2-4)

MERRILLVILLE (4-2) AT VALPARAISO (1-5)

MILAN (2-3) AT EASTERN HANCOCK (3-3)

MISHAWAKA MARIAN (2-4) AT NEW PRAIRIE (1-5)

MITCHELL (0-6) AT NORTH DAVIESS (6-0)

MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (0-6) AT NEW CASTLE (1-5)

MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (4-2) AT HERITAGE HILLS (5-1)

MUNCIE CENTRAL (3-3) AT ANDERSON (1-5)

NEW HAVEN (1-5) AT BELLMONT (0-6)

NOBLESVILLE (1-5) AT HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (3-3)

NORTH JUDSON (5-1) AT WINAMAC (1-5)

NORTH MIAMI (4-2) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (0-6)

NORTH MONTGOMERY (0-6) AT CRAWFORDSVILLE (2-4)

NORTH NEWTON (3-3) AT BOWMAN ACADEMY (3-3)

NORTH POSEY (5-1) AT FOREST PARK (3-3)

NORTH PUTNAM (2-4) AT FRANKFORT (0-6)

NORTH WHITE (2-4) AT SOUTH NEWTON (2-4)

NORTHFIELD (1-5) AT ROCHESTER (5-1)

NORTHRIDGE (0-6) AT WAWASEE (1-5)

NORTHWESTERN (3-3) AT WABASH (1-5)

NORWELL (1-5) AT DEKALB (4-2)

OSCEOLA GRACE AT MONROE CENTRAL (3-3)

OWEN VALLEY (1-5) AT WEST VIGO (0-6)

PAOLI (4-2) AT CRAWFORD COUNTY (4-2)

PARKE HERITAGE (4-2) AT NORTH VERMILLION (0-6)

PENN (6-0) AT ELKHART (4-2)

PHALEN ACADEMY AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (5-1)

PIKE CENTRAL (0-6) AT SOUTH SPENCER (1-5)

PIONEER (5-1) AT CULVER (2-4)

PLYMOUTH (3-3) AT NORTHWOOD (3-3)

PORTAGE (0-6) AT MICHIGAN CITY (4-2)

PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-6) AT WOODLAN (1-5)

PURDUE ENGLEWOOD (5-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (1-4)

RENSSELAER CENTRAL (4-2) AT BENTON CENTRAL (0-6)

RICHMOND (1-5) AT MARION (1-5)

SCOTTSBURG (5-1) AT CLARKSVILLE (3-3)

SEYMOUR (0-6) AT JENNINGS COUNTY (2-4)

SHELBYVILLE (3-3) AT NEW PALESTINE (6-0)

SHENANDOAH (4-2) AT NORTHEASTERN (6-0)

SILVER CREEK (2-4) AT NORTH HARRISON (2-4)

SOUTH BEND RILEY (3-3) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (6-0)

SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (2-4) AT SOUTH BEND ADAMS (2-4)

SOUTH PUTNAM (5-1) AT NORTHVIEW (5-1)

SOUTHWOOD (1-5) AT PERU (1-5)

SULLIVAN (3-3) AT EDGEWOOD (5-1)

SWITZERLAND COUNTY (5-1) AT SOUTH DECATUR (2-4)

TECUMSEH (3-3) AT SPRINGS VALLEY (6-0)

TELL CITY (3-3) AT SOUTHRIDGE (2-4)

TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-6) AT SOUTHPORT (0-6)

TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (4-2) AT MCCUTCHEON (2-4)

TRI (3-3) AT KNIGHTSTOWN (4-2)

TRI-WEST (5-1) AT MONROVIA (3-3)

VINCENNES LINCOLN (3-3) AT EVANSVILLE NORTH (4-2)

WARREN CENTRAL (5-1) AT LAWRENCE NORTH (5-1)

WARSAW (4-2) AT MISHAWAKA (5-1)

WES-DEL (2-3) AT PARK TUDOR (4-2)

WEST CENTRAL (6-0) AT FAITH CHRISTIAN (1-5)

WEST LAFAYETTE (2-4) AT LOGANSPORT (5-1)

WEST WASHINGTON (2-4) AT PERRY CENTRAL (0-6)

WESTERN (5-1) AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY (4-2)

WESTERN BOONE (4-2) AT SOUTHMONT (6-0)

WESTFIELD (4-2) AT AVON (3-3)

WHITELAND (4-2) AT MOORESVILLE (3-3)

ZIONSVILLE (3-3) AT BROWNSBURG (6-0)

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USA/NETWORK INDIANA FOOTBALL POLLS

CLASS 6A

1.           BROWNSBURG (17) 6-0        179

2.           CENTER GROVE          6-0        160

3.           CROWN POINT (1)    6-0        139

4.           CARMEL           5-1        127

5.           PENN  6-0        87

6.           WESTFIELD    4-2        82

7.           LAWRENCE NORTH 5-1        72

8.           FISHERS          4-2        62

9.           WARREN CENTRAL   5-1        57

10.        DECATUR CENTRAL 4-2        17

11.        AVON  3-3        8

12.        FORT WAYNE NORTHROP   5-1        3

13.        HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN             3-3        2

CLASS 5A

1.           NEW PALESTINE (18)              6-0        180

2.           BLOOMINGTON SOUTH       6-0        160

3.           INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL             4-2        119

4.           LAFAYETTE JEFF         5-1        107

5.           EAST CENTRAL            5-1        98

6.           PLAINFIELD   5-1        84

7.           MERRILLVILLE             4-2        74

8.           CONCORD     5-1        70

9.           CASTLE             5-1        49

10.        FLOYD CENTRAL        5-1        30

11.        WHITELAND  4-2        11

12.        WARSAW         4-2        6

13.        TERRE HAUTE SOUTH           4-2        2

CLASS 4A

1.           INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (14)         5-1        174

2.           EAST NOBLE (4)          6-0        162

3.           MISHAWAKA 5-1        130

4.           HERITAGE HILLS        5-1        129

5.           LEO      5-1        84

6.           INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI  4-2        74

7.           SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH   6-0        66

8.           JASPER             5-1        59

9.           PENDLETON HEIGHTS          5-1        39

10.        EVANSVILLE REITZ   4-2        29

FORT WAYNE DWENGER     4-2        29

12.        YORKTOWN   5-1        11

13.        LOWELL           5-1        2

NORTHVIEW  5-1        2

15.        LEBANON        5-1        1

CLASS 3A

1.           EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (14)            6-0        174

2.           GIBSON SOUTHERN (2)        5-1        150

3.           CASCADE (2) 6-0        142

4.           MISSISSINEWA           6-0        117

5.           KNOX  6-0        112

6.           MACONAQUAH          6-0        89

7.           LAWRENCEBURG      5-1        76

8.           TRI-WEST        5-1        57

9.           WEST NOBLE 5-1        17

10.        TWIN LAKES  5-1        14

11.        INDIAN CREEK            4-2        12

12.        EDGEWOOD  5-1        10

13.        EVANSVILLE MATER DEI       2-4        8

WESTERN        5-1        8

15.        FORT WAYNE LUERS              3-3        2

SCOTTSBURG              5-1        2

CLASS 2A

1.           ADAMS CENTRAL (17)           6-0        180

2.           BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL   6-0        155

3.           LAPEL (1)         6-0        145

4.           ANDREAN        5-1        108

5.           EASTBROOK  6-0        81

6.           TRITON CENTRAL      5-1        74

7.           INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 5-1        68

8.           BLUFFTON      6-0        67

9.           LINTON             4-2        55

10.        NORTHEASTERN        6-0        35

11.        WHEELER        5-0        9

12.        HERITAGE CHRISTIAN           4-2        8

13.        ROCHESTER  5-1        3

14.        NORTH POSEY            5-1        2

15.        WINCHESTER              5-1        1

CLASS 1A

1.           SOUTH PUTNAM (6) 5-1        153

2.           SPRINGS VALLEY (6)               6-0        152

3.           NORTH DECATUR      5-1        125

4.           NORTH JUDSON (1)  5-1        105

PROVIDENCE (3)        4-2        105

6.           FRONTIER (1) 6-0        88

7.           MADISON-GRANT     5-1        79

8.           RIVERTON PARKE      6-0        78

9.           PIONEER          5-1        48

10.        NORTH DAVIESS        6-0        37

11.        CARROLL (FLORA)    3-2        9

12.        SOUTH ADAMS           3-3        8

13.        NORTH MIAMI              4-2        2

14.        WEST CENTRAL          6-0        1

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SCORES:+++

https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball/scores/?date=9/30/2025

 Z RATINGS: HTTPS://WWW.ZVOLLEYBALL.COM/IPV/INDIANA-HS-Z-RATINGS/Z-GIRLS-2025

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+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER SCORES:+++

https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/scores/?date=9/30/2025

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+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER SCORES:+++

https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/girls/scores/?date=9/30/2025

___________

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF STATE FINALS

OCTOBER 4,5

FRIDAY TEE TIMES: https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025-26%20GGo%20State%20First%20Round%20Pairings.pdf

___________

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS:+++

Batesville Invitational: https://in.milesplit.com/meets/695890-batesville-invitational-2025/results

Randolph County XC:

BOYS: https://in.milesplit.com/meets/703482-randolph-county-xc-2025/results/1218428/formatted/

GIRLS: https://in.milesplit.com/meets/703482-randolph-county-xc-2025/results/1218430/formatted/

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS +++

SECTIONAL DATES: SEPTEMBER 30, OCT 1, 2, 3, 4

1. Avon (5) | Bracket 
Avon, Brownsburg, Danville, Plainfield, Tri-West Hendricks.

2. Mooresville (4) | Bracket 
Greencastle, Martinsville, Mooresville, South Putnam.

3. Terre Haute North (4) | Bracket 
Northview, Terre Haute North Vigo, Terre Haute South Vigo, West Vigo.

4. Bloomington South (5) | Bracket 
Edgewood, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Brown County, Owen Valley.

5. Jasper (4) | Bracket 
Forest Park, Jasper, Northeast Dubois, Southridge.

6. Linton-Stockton (4) | Bracket 
Bloomfield, Linton-Stockton, Sullivan, White River Valley.

7. Vincennes Lincoln (4) | Bracket 
South Knox, Vincennes Lincoln, Vincennes Rivet, Washington.

8. Loogootee (4) | Bracket 
Barr-Reeve, Loogootee, North Daviess, Paoli.

9. Princeton Community (5) | Bracket 
Gibson Southern, Pike Central, Princeton Community, Tecumseh, Wood Memorial.

10. Mt. Vernon (Posey) (5) | Bracket 
Evansville Central, Evansville Mater Dei, Evansville Reitz, Mt. Vernon (Posey), North Posey.

11. Evansville Bosse (Hosted @ Evansville North) (5) | Bracket   
Evansville Bosse, Evansville Christian, Evansville Harrison, Evansville Memorial, Evansville North. 

12. Tell City (5) | Bracket 
Boonville, Castle, Heritage Hills, South Spencer, Tell City.

13. Lanesville (5) | Bracket 
Corydon Central, Crawford County, Lanesville, North Harrison, South Central (Elizabeth).

14. New Albany (5) | Bracket 
Clarksville, Christian Academy of Indiana, Jeffersonville, New Albany, Providence. 

15. Floyd Central (4) | Bracket 
Borden, Eastern (Pekin), Floyd Central, Salem.

16. Silver Creek (4) | Bracket 
Charlestown, Henryville, New Washington, Silver Creek.

17. Scottsburg (4) | Bracket 
Austin, Madison Consolidated, Scottsburg, Southwestern (Hanover).

18. Bedford North Lawrence (5) | Bracket 
Bedford North Lawrence, Brownstown Central, Jennings County, Seymour, Trinity Lutheran.

19. East Central (6) | Bracket 
Batesville, East Central, Lawrenceburg, Milan, Oldenburg Academy, South Dearborn.

20. Columbus North (5) | Bracket 
Columbus East, Columbus North, Edinburgh, Greensburg, Hauser

21. Perry Meridian (4) | Bracket 
Decatur Central, Perry Meridian, Roncalli, Southport.

22. Connersville (4) | Bracket 
Connersville, Franklin County, Rushville Consolidated, Union County.

23. Center Grove (5) | Bracket 
Center Grove, Frankin Community, Greenwood Community, Indian Creek, Whiteland Community.

24. Shelbyville (5) | Bracket 
Morristown, Shelbyville, Southwestern (Shelby), Triton Central, Waldron.

25. Ben Davis (4) | Bracket 
Ben Davis, Covenant Christian (Indianapolis), Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, Speedway.

26. North Central (Indpls.) (5) | Bracket 
Herron, Indpls. Bishop Chatard, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, Indpls. Shortridge, North Central (Indpls.).

27. Lawrence North (5) | Bracket 
Heritage Christian, Indpls. Arsenal Tech, Indpls. Cathedral, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North.

28. Franklin Central (5) | Bracket 
Beech Grove, Franklin Central, Indpls. Lutheran, Indpls. Scecina Memorial, Warrren Central.

29. New Castle (5) | Bracket 
Blue River Valley, Knightstown, New Castle, Shenandoah, Tri.

30. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (4) | Bracket 
Eastern Hancock, Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon (Fortville), New Palestine.

31. Fishers (4) | Bracket 
Anderson, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, Pendleton Heights.

32. Richmond (5) | Bracket 
Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Hagerstown, Northeastern, Richmond.

33. Fountain Central (4) | Bracket 
Covington, Fountain Central, Parke Heritage, South Vermillion.

34. Crawfordsville (5) | Bracket 
Crawfordsville, Lebanon, North Montgomery, Southmont, Western Boone.

35. Carmel (4) | Bracket 
Carmel, Guerin Catholic, University, Zionsville.

36. Park Tudor (4) | Bracket 
Brebeuf Jesuit, Park Tudor, Pike, International School of Indiana.

37. South Bend St. Joseph (Hosted @ South Bend Adams) (4) | Bracket   
Glenn, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph, South Bend Washington.

38. LaPorte (4) | Bracket 
LaPorte, Marquette Catholic, Michigan City, New Prairie.

39. Valparaiso (4) | Bracket 
Chesterton, Portage, Valparaiso, Wheeler.

40. Hobart (5) | Bracket 
Andrean, Hobart, Lake Station Edison, Merrillville, River Forest.

41. Harrison (West Lafayette) (5) | Bracket 
Benton Central, Harrison (West Lafayette), Lafayette Jefferson, Rossville, West Lafayette.

42. Frankfort (5) | Bracket 
Attica, Frankfort, Lafayette Central Catholic, McCutcheon, Seeger.

43. Logansport (5) | Bracket 
Carroll (Flora), Delphi Community, Lewis Cass, Logansport, Twin Lakes.

44. Kokomo (4) | Bracket 
Eastern (Greentown), Kokomo, Northwestern, Western.

45. Crown Point (5) | Bracket 
Crown Point, Hanover Central, Kankakee Valley, Lowell, Rensselaer Central.

46. Highland (6) | Bracket 
Calumet, Griffith, Highland, Illiana Christian, Lake Central, Munster.

47. East Chicago Central (4) | Bracket 
East Chicago Central, Hammond Academy of Science and Technology, Hammond Bishop Noll, Hammond Central.

48. Culver Academies (5) | Bracket 
Culver Academies, Knox, North Judson-San Piere, Plymouth, Triton.

49. Madison-Grant (5) | Bracket 
Blackford, Madison-Grant, Marion, Mississinewa, Huntington North.

50. Norwell (5) | Bracket 
Adams Central, Bellmont, Bluffton, Norwell, South Adams.

51. Homestead (5) | Bracket 
FW Bishop Luers, FW Canterbury, FW South Side, FW Wayne, Homestead.

52. Peru (5) | Bracket 
Maconaquah, Manchester, Peru, Rochester Community, Wabash.

53. Jay County (4) | Bracket 
Jay County, Randolph Southern, Union City, Winchester Community.

54. Delta (4) | Bracket 
Delta, Muncie Burris, Muncie Central, Yorktown.

55. Alexandria Monroe (4) | Bracket 
Alexandria Monroe, Elwood, Frankton, Tipton.

56. Noblesville (4) | Bracket 
Hamilton Heights, Lapel, Noblesville, Westfield.

57. Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (5) | Bracket 
FW Blackhawk Christian, FW Bishop Dwenger. FW Concordia Lutheran, FW North Side, New Haven.

58. Carroll (Fort Wayne) (5) | Bracket 
Carroll (Fort Wayne), Churubusco, FW Northrop, FW Snider, Leo.

59. DeKalb (4) | Bracket 
Central Noble, East Noble, DeKalb, West Noble.

60. Angola (5) | Bracket 
Angola, Fremont, Lakeland, Prairie Heights, Westview.

61. Warsaw (5) | Bracket 
Columbia City, Tippecanoe Valley, Whitko, Warsaw Community, Wawasee.

62. Concord (4) | Bracket 
Concord, Elkhart, Jimtown, Northridge.

63. NorthWood (5) | Bracket 
Bethany Christian, Bremen, Fairfield, Goshen, NorthWood.

64. Penn (4) | Bracket 
Mishawaka, Mishawaka Marian, Penn, South Bend Adams 

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+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL UNIFIED FLAG FOOTBALL+++

SOUTH BEND 26 VALPO 12

__________

+++MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL+++

MLB PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

WILD-CARD SERIES (ALL GAME TIMES ET)

++++NO. 6 DETROIT AT NO. 3 CLEVELAND

GAME 1: DETROIT 2 CLEVELAND 1

GAME 2: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 1:08 P.M. (ESPN)

GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY): THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 1:08 P.M. (ESPN)

++++NO. 5 BOSTON AT NO. 4 NEW YORK

GAME 1: CHICAGO 3 SAN DIEGO 1

GAME 2: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 6:08 P.M. (ESPN)

GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY): THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 6:08 P.M. (ESPN)

++++NO. 6 CINCINNATI AT NO. 3 LOS ANGELES

GAME 1: LOS ANGELES 10 CINCINNATI 5

GAME 2: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 9:08 P.M. (ESPN)

GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY): THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 9:08 P.M. (ESPN)

++++NO. 5 SAN DIEGO AT NO. 4 CHICAGO

GAME 1: CHICAGO 3 SAN DIEGO 1

GAME 2: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 3:08 P.M. (ABC)

GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY): THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 3:08 P.M. (ABC)

DIVISION SERIES (GAMES 1-2 AND 5 AT HIGHER SEED, 3-4 AT LOWER SEED)

++++NO. 1 TORONTO VS. NEW YORK/BOSTON WINNER

GAME 1: SATURDAY, OCT. 4

GAME 2: SUNDAY, OCT. 5

GAME 3: TUESDAY, OCT. 7

GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY): WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8

GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY): FRIDAY, OCT. 10

++++NO. 2 SEATTLE VS. CLEVELAND/DETROIT WINNER

GAME 1: SATURDAY, OCT. 4

GAME 2: SUNDAY, OCT. 5

GAME 3: TUESDAY, OCT. 7

GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY): WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8

GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY): FRIDAY, OCT. 10

++++NO. 1 MILWAUKEE VS. CHICAGO/SAN DIEGO WINNER

GAME 1: SATURDAY, OCT. 4

GAME 2: MONDAY, OCT. 6

GAME 3: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8

GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY): THURSDAY, OCT. 9

GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY): SATURDAY, OCT. 11

++++NO. 2 PHILADELPHIA VS. LOS ANGELES/CINCINNATI WINNER

GAME 1: SATURDAY, OCT. 4

GAME 2: MONDAY, OCT. 6

GAME 3: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8

GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY): THURSDAY, OCT. 9

GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY): SATURDAY, OCT. 11

++++ALCS (HIGHER SEED HOSTS GAMES 1-2, 6-7, LOWER SEED HOSTS GAMES 3-5)

GAME 1: SUNDAY, OCT. 12

GAME 2: MONDAY, OCT. 13

GAME 3: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15

GAME 4: THURSDAY, OCT. 16

GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY): FRIDAY, OCT. 17

GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY): SUNDAY, OCT. 19

GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY): MONDAY, OCT. 20

++++NLCS (HIGHER SEED HOSTS GAMES 1-2, 6-7, LOWER SEED HOSTS GAMES 3-5)

GAME 1: MONDAY, OCT. 13

GAME 2: TUESDAY, OCT. 14

GAME 3: THURSDAY, OCT. 16

GAME 4: FRIDAY, OCT. 17

GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY): SATURDAY, OCT. 18

GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY): MONDAY, OCT. 20

GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY): TUESDAY, OCT. 21

++++WORLD SERIES (HIGHER SEED HOSTS GAMES 1-2, 6-7, LOWER SEED HOSTS GAMES 3-5)

GAME 1: FRIDAY, OCT. 24

GAME 2: SATURDAY, OCT. 25

GAME 3: MONDAY, OCT. 27

GAME 4: TUESDAY, OCT. 28

GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY): WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29

GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY): FRIDAY, OCT. 31

GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY): SATURDAY, NOV. 1

__________

+++COLLEGE FOOTBALL+++

WEEK 6 SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, OCT. 2

9 P.M. | SAM HOUSTON AT NEW MEXICO STATE | CBSSN

FRIDAY, OCT. 3

7 P.M. | WESTERN KENTUCKY AT DELAWARE | CBSSN

7 P.M. | CHARLOTTE AT SOUTH FLORIDA | ESPN2

10 P.M. | NEW MEXICO AT SAN JOSE STATE | FS1

10:30 P.M. | WEST VIRGINIA AT NO. 23 BYU | ESPN

10:30 P.M. | COLORADO STATE AT SAN DIEGO STATE | CBSSN

SATURDAY, OCT. 4

12 P.M. | KENTUCKY AT NO. 12 GEORGIA | ABC

12 P.M. |NO. 14 IOWA STATE AT CINCINNATI | ESPN2

12 P.M. | WISCONSIN AT NO. 20 MICHIGAN | FOX

12 P.M. | NO. 22 ILLINOIS AT PURDUE | BIG TEN NETWORK

12 P.M. | BOSTON COLLEGE AT PITT | ACC NETWORK

12 P.M. | CLEMSON AT NORTH CAROLINA | ESPN

12 P.M. | KANSAS STATE AT BAYLOR | ESPN+

12 P.M. | AIR FORCE AT NAVY | CBS/PARAMOUNT+

12 P.M. | ARMY AT UAB | ESPNU

12 P.M. | OHIO AT BALL STATE | CBSSN

1 P.M. | WAKE FOREST AT VIRGINIA TECH | THE CW NETWORK

1 P.M. | UTSA AT TEMPLE | ESPN+

2 P.M. | CAMPBELL AT NC STATE | ESPN+/ACC EXTRA

2 P.M. | OKLAHOMA STATE AT ARIZONA | TNT/TRUTV/HBO MAX

2:30 P.M. | WESTERN MICHIGAN AT UMASS | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | NO. 7 PENN STATE AT UCLA | CBS

3:30 P.M. | NO. 9 TEXAS AT FLORIDA | ESPN

3:30 P.M. | NO. 16  VANDERBILT AT NO. 10 ALABAMA

3:30 P.M. | BOISE STATE AT NO. 21 NOTRE DAME | NBC/PEACOCK

3:30 P.M. | WASHINGTON AT MARYLAND | BIG TEN NETWORK

3:30 P.M. | UL MONROE AT NORTHWESTERN | BIG TEN NETWORK

3:30 P.M. | OREGON STATE AT APPALACHIAN STATE | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | NO. 24 VIRGINIA AT LOUISVILLE | ESPN2

3:30 P.M. | SYRACUSE AT SMU

3:30 P.M. | FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT UCONN | CBSSN

3:30 P.M. | JAMES MADISON AT GEORGIA STATE | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT AKRON | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | EASTERN MICHIGAN AT BUFFALO | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | MIAMI (OHIO) AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+

4 P.M. | KENT STATE AT NO. 5 OKLAHOMA | SEC NETWORK

4 P.M. | MICHIGAN STATE AT NEBRASKA | FS1

4 P.M. | TEXAS STATE AT ARKANSAS STATE | ESPNU

6 P.M. | COASTAL CAROLINA AT OLD DOMINION | ESPN+

7 P.M. | NO. 11 TEXAS TECH AT HOUSTON | ESPN

7 P.M. | UNLV AT WYOMING | CBSSN

7 P.M. | SOUTH ALABAMA AT TROY | ESPN+

7 P.M. | FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT RICE | ESPN+

7:30 P.M. | MINNESOTA AT NO. 1 OHIO STATE | NBC/PEACOCK

7:30 P.M. | NO. 3 MIAMI (FLA.) AT NO. 18 FLORIDA STATE | ABC

7:30 P.M. | MISSISSIPPI STATE AT NO. 6 TEXAS A&M | SEC NETWORK

7:30 P.M. | COLORADO AT TCU | FOX

7:30 P.M. | KANSAS AT UCF | ESPN2

8 P.M. | TULSA AT MEMPHIS | ESPNU

10:30 P.M. | DUKE AT CAL | ESPN

10:30 P.M. | NEVADA AT FRESNO STATE | CBSSN

_________

+++NFL SCHEDULE+++

WEEK 5

THURSDAY, OCT. 2

SAN FRANCISCO AT LA RAMS, 8:15 P.M. (PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, OCT. 5

MINNESOTA VS. CLEVELAND AT LONDON, 9:30 A.M. (NFLN)

NY GIANTS AT NEW ORLEANS, 1 P.M. (CBS)

DENVER AT PHILADELPHIA

HOUSTON AT BALTIMORE, 1 P.M. (CBS)

DALLAS AT NY JETS, 1 P.M. (FOX)

LAS VEGAS AT INDIANAPOLIS, 1 P.M. (FOX)

MIAMI AT CAROLINA, 1 P.M. (FOX)

TENNESSEE AT ARIZONA, 4:05 P.M. (CBS)

TAMPA BAY AT SEATTLE, 4:05 P.M. (CBS)

WASHINGTON AT LA CHARGERS, 4:25 P.M. (FOX)

DETROIT AT CINCINNATI, 4:25 P.M. (FOX)

NEW ENGLAND AT BUFFALO, 8:20 P.M. (NBC)

MONDAY, OCT. 6

KANSAS CITY AT JACKSONVILLE, 8:15 P.M. (ESPN/ABC)

BYES: ATLANTA, CHICAGO, GREEN BAY, PITTSBURGH

__________

+++WNBA SCORES+++

LAS VEGAS 107 INDIANA 98 OT

__________

NHL PRE-SEASON

WASHINGTON 4 COLUMBUS 3

MONTREAL 5 OTTAWA 0

TAMPA BAY 3 FLORIDA 2

MINNESOTA 3 WINNIPEG 2

+++MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER+++

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

__________

+++TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

DODGERS GET OFF TO FAST START IN GAME 1 TRIUMPH OVER REDS

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez each hit a pair of home runs, Blake Snell went seven strong innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off a 10-5 victory in Game 1 of a National League wild-card series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

Tommy Edman added his own home run as the defending champion Dodgers moved a victory away from a matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division Series.

The Dodgers’ five home runs tied a franchise record for a playoff game.

Snell (1-0) gave up two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts in his first playoff start since 2022 as a member of the San Diego Padres.

Reds right-hander Hunter Green (0-1) gave up five runs on six hits with three home runs as the Reds continue to search for their first playoff victory since 2012. Elly De La Cruz drove in two runs and scored one for Cincinnati.

The Reds’ offense came to life with all five runs over the final three innings.

Ohtani turned around a 100.4-mph fastball from Green in the opening inning with a line-drive home run that came off the bat at 117.7 mph.

Los Angeles took control in the third when Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy walked with one out and Hernandez hit a home run to left field for a 4-0 lead. Edman followed two pitches later with his own home run down the right-field line.

In the fifth, Hernandez added his second home run, this one off Connor Phillips for a 6-0 advantage. It was his second career multi-homer game in the postseason (2022).

Ohtani added his second homer in the sixth, also against Phillips, for his first postseason multi-homer game. Ohtani’s power display came after a 55-homer regular season that broke his own franchise record set last season.

De La Cruz got the Reds on the scoreboard in the seventh with an RBI grounder before scoring on a Tyler Stephenson double. The Dodgers got the runs right back on an error by Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte and a single from Ben Rortvedt.

The wayward Dodgers bullpen struggled in its first inning of the playoffs as Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez and Jack Dreyer all pitched in the eighth, combining to allow three runs with four walks. The Reds’ Sal Stewart and De La Cruz each had a bases-loaded walk.

RED SOX RALLY OFF YANKEES’ BULLPEN, CAPTURE GAME 1

NEW YORK — Garrett Crochet struck out 11 in 7 2/3 outstanding innings as the Boston Red Sox went ahead after getting Max Fried out of the game and opened their American League wild-card series with a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

Boston grabbed the advantage in the best-of-three series as Masataka Yoshida hit a pinch-hit, two-run single in the seventh inning and Alex Bregman added an RBI double in the ninth. Carlos Rodon starts for the Yankees against Brayan Bello on Wednesday.

Crochet (1-0) allowed four hits in his first career postseason start after making four relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox in the 2020 and 2021 playoffs. He walked none and retired 17 straight at one point.

After getting the first two outs of the second inning, Crochet gave up a homer to Anthony Volpe that gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

Crochet did not allow another baserunner until permitting a single to center field by Volpe on his 109th pitch. The left-hander ended his night at a career-high 117 pitches by reaching 100 mph on a called third strike to Austin Wells, who thought he walked.

Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman retired Jose Caballero on a flyball to end the eighth after balking Volpe to second on a disengagement violation.

Chapman allowed three straight singles to load the bases in the ninth but escaped. He struck out Giancarlo Stanton, got Jazz Chisholm Jr. to fly out and by fanned Trent Grisham on a 101 mph fastball to notch his 11th career postseason save.

Crochet did not get the lead until Fried exited after firing 6 1/3 scoreless innings and 102 pitches.

Luke Weaver (0-1) entered and struggled to command his changeup, walking Ceddanne Rafaela to cap an 11-pitch encounter. Nick Sogard hit another changeup for a hustle double to right field, putting runners at second and third.

Yoshida batted for Rob Refsnyder and the Red Sox went ahead when he hit a fastball to center field for a base hit, easily scoring the runners.

In the top of the ninth, Bregman doubled to left field off David Bednar after Trevor Story singled and stole second.

Fried allowed four hits in his New York postseason debut. The left-hander struck out six and walked three, including a free pass to Carlos Narvaez in the sixth on a nine-pitch plate appearance that drove up his pitch count.

The Yankees went ahead when Volpe lifted a 1-2 sinker to right field with two outs in the second.

CUBS BELT BACK-TO-BACK HRS IN GAME 1 WIN OVER PADRES

Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly belted back-to-back homers to lead off the fifth inning, lifting the host Chicago Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of their National League wild-card series on Tuesday.

Daniel Palencia (1-0) struck out two and retired all five batters he faced in relief of starter Matthew Boyd. Former Padre Drew Pomeranz retired the side in order in the seventh inning, Andrew Kittredge did the same in the eighth and Brad Keller followed suit in the ninth to secure the save.

Chicago, which last reached the postseason in 2020, will look to wrap up the best-of-three series at home on Wednesday afternoon.

Nico Hoerner collected two of his team’s six hits and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning off former Cub Jeremiah Estrada.

Xander Bogaerts ripped an RBI double in the second inning and had two of the four hits for the Padres.

Chicago was limited to just one hit through the first four innings before Suzuki and Kelly emphatically erased a 1-0 deficit.

Suzuki deposited a 2-1 fastball from Nick Pivetta (0-1) over the wall in center field and Kelly sent a 2-2 fastball into the seats in left-center field.

Suzuki’s homer was his sixth in the last five games, while Kelly’s blast was his first since Sept. 10.

Pivetta permitted two runs on three hits while striking out nine batters in five innings.

Jackson Merrill doubled to lead off the second inning and trotted home after Bogaerts drove the ball that one-hopped to the wall in center field. Bogaerts advanced to third base on a throwing error, however Boyd retired the next three batters to limit the damage.

The Padres also threatened in the fourth inning after Manny Machado advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt and an infield single. Boyd, however, induced a pop out to shallow center field and a flyout to end the inning.

TARIK SKUBAL FANS 14, TIGERS EDGE GUARDIANS 2-1 TO KICK OFF PLAYOFFS

CLEVELAND — Tarik Skubal struck out a record-setting 14 over 7 2/3 innings and Riley Greene scored on Zach McKinstry’s go-ahead sacrifice bunt in the seventh, giving the Detroit Tigers a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of their American League wild-card series on Tuesday afternoon.

Reigning Cy Young Award winner Skubal (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and walked three in a 107-pitch gem. The left-hander made his third consecutive start against AL Central champion Cleveland in a 13-day span and beat them for the first time.

Skubal broke the mark of 13 strikeouts in a wild-card game, previously held by Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers, both in 2020. Will Vest recorded the final four outs for the save.

“I was just worried about executing each pitch and trying to do my best pitch-to-pitch and do what I do that makes me a great pitcher,” Skubal said.

The Guardians put a runner on third with no outs in the ninth as Jose Ramirez singled and advanced on a throwing error by shortstop Javier Baez. Vest quelled the threat by striking out George Valera, tagging out Ramirez on Kyle Manzardo’s grounder back to the mound, and inducing a popout by pinch hitter C.J. Kayfus.

“You hope with a runner on third and no out that we could hit a ball to the outfield,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Wednesday in Cleveland.

Both Tigers runs off Guardians starter Gavin Williams (0-1) were unearned thanks to errors by Johnathan Rodriguez in the first and Jhonkensy Noel in the seventh. The right-hander scattered five hits and one walk over six-plus innings, striking out eight.

“It’s a three-game series for a reason,” Williams said. “We’ve got to win two, and that’s what we’re trying to do starting (Wednesday). I wish the first inning never happened. I left a couple pitches up in the zone and they hit them.”

Greene led off the seventh with a double and moved to third when first baseman Noel dropped the throw from Brayan Rocchio on Wenceel Perez’s grounder. McKinstry’s one-out bunt to Noel came against reliever Hunter Gaddis, easily bringing home Greene.

The Tigers got on the board in the top of the first on Spencer Torkelson’s single to left field, plating Kerry Carpenter from second. Guardians right fielder Rodriguez mishandled Carpenter’s single while attempting to pick up the ball.

Gutsy baserunning by Angel Martinez allowed Cleveland to tie it 1-all in the fourth. Martinez was on second when Gabriel Arias hit a chopper over Skubal, who fielded the ball behind the mound, but not in time to beat Martinez to the plate.

Home plate umpire Shane Livensparger initially called Martinez out, but it was overturned on a replay challenge by Vogt as Martinez’s hand slid under Dillon Dingler’s tag.

The Guardians won eight of the teams’ 13 regular-season contests after beating Detroit in five games in the 2024 AL Division Series.

“Anyone new to the Tigers and Guardians, this is what they look like. Like every game,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “Obviously, Tarik set an incredible tone for us. He’s been incredible for us all season, but what a performance at the biggest moments in the biggest stage to get us in a great position to win the game.”

___________________

NFL NEWS

WEEK 5 NFL PREVIEW

Through the first month of the 2025 season, phenomenal finishes and exceptional special teams have been a common theme. There have been 18 games to feature a game-winning score in the final three minutes of regulation or in overtime, the most in 42 years and tied with the 1983 season for the most-ever through Week 4. There have been 11 special teams touchdowns, the most at this point in 13 years and the 3,624 kickoff return yards amassed last week is the most in a single week in NFL history.

• London calling: When the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network) on Sunday, it begins three consecutive weeks with an international game in the United Kingdom. The Vikings, after appearing in the first regular-season game in Ireland against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, are the first team to play consecutive international games in different cities. In Week 6, the Denver Broncos and New York Jets meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and in Week 7, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium.
• Two undefeated teams remain: The Philadelphia Eagles are 4-0 for the third time in the past four seasons while the Buffalo Bills improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2020.
  • Denver (2-2) at Philadelphia (4-0) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles can become the first team to begin 5-0 three times in a four-year span since the Indianapolis Colts (2006-07, 2009) while head coach Nick Sirianni can become the second coach ever to begin 5-0 in three of his first five seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Brown.
    • Philadelphia, with a blocked field goal-return touchdown in Week 3 and a blocked punt-return touchdown in Week 4, became the fourth team since 2000 with a blocked field goal-return or punt-return touchdown in consecutive games, joining the 2014 Philadelphia Eagles (Sept. 28-Oct. 5), 2008 San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 12-19) and 2002 Baltimore Ravens (Nov. 24-Dec. 1).
    • Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is the first quarterback in NFL history with five touchdown passes, four rushing touchdowns and no interceptions in his team’s first four games of a season.
    • Denver quarterback Bo Nix totaled three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in the team’s Week 4 win over Cincinnati. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Nix is one of three quarterbacks, along with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, with at least 35 touchdown passes (36) and five rushing touchdowns (five).
    • The Broncos lead the NFL with 15 sacks this season and are tied with Jacksonville for the fewest sacks allowed (three) in 2025.
  • New England (2-2) at Buffalo (4-0) (Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Bills have started a season with five straight wins in three previous seasons: 1964, 1980 and 1991.
    • Buffalo, from Week 11 of the 2023 season through Week 4 of the 2025 season, are the fourth team ever to win 14 consecutive home regular-season games and score at least 24 points in each game, joining the 1997-98 Denver Broncos (15 consecutive home wins), 2017-19 New England Patriots (15) and 2022-23 Dallas Cowboys (14).
    • Bills quarterback Josh Allen has 45 career regular-season games with both a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown, tied with Cam Newton for the most such games in NFL history.
    • Buffalo running back James Cook ranks second in rushing yards (401), tied for second in scrimmage touchdowns (five) and fifth in scrimmage yards (490) this season. He is the sixth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of his team’s first four games of a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers O.J. Simpson (1975 with Buffalo) and Emmitt Smith (1995 with Dallas) as well as Christian McCaffrey (2023 with San Francisco), DeMarco Murray (2014 with Dallas) and Billy Sims (1981 with Detroit).
    • New England quarterback Drake Maye, from Weeks 2-4, became the first player ever under the age of 24 with at least two touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 75-or-higher in three consecutive games, minimum 15 pass attempts in each game.
• Matchups of 3-1 teams: Four of the nine teams with three wins this season are set to meet in Week 4.
  • San Francisco (3-1) at the Los Angeles Rams (3-1) (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Los Angeles Rams defeated San Francisco in both matchups during the 2024 season, recording fourth-quarter comeback victories in both games.
    • 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey ranks third in the NFL with 31 receptions and 530 scrimmage yards (305 receiving, 225 rushing), becoming the third player since 1990 with at least 300 receiving yards and 200 rushing yards in his team’s first four games of season, joining Matt Forte (2011) and Alvin Kamara (2018 and 2020).
    • Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had 13 receptions for a career-high 170 yards and one touchdown in the team’s Week 4 win over Indianapolis. Nacua leads the NFL with 42 receptions this season, tied with Cooper Kupp (2022 with the Los Angeles Rams) and Michael Thomas (2018 with New Orleans) for the most receptions by a player in his team’s first four games of a season in NFL history.
  • Tampa Bay (3-1) at Seattle (3-1) (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Both the Buccaneers and Seahawks are celebrating their 50th anniversary seasons after joining the NFL in 1976 and each club will be wearing throwback uniforms for this Sunday’s matchup.
    • Since joining Tampa Bay in 2023, quarterback Baker Mayfield leads the NFL with 77 touchdown passes and ranks second with 9,448 passing yards.
    • Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka leads all rookies with 282 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions this season and has recorded a touchdown catch in three of his first four games. In the past 20 seasons (2005-24), only four players have had a touchdown catch in four of their first five career games: Martavis Bryant (2014), Ja’Marr Chase (2021), Terry McLaurin (2019) and Hakeem Nicks (2009).
    • Seattle leads the NFC in scoring defense (16.8 points per game allowed) and have recorded seven interceptions this season, tied for the second-most in the NFL.
• Turnovers key on Monday night: The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC) in Week 5. Jacksonville leads the NFL with 13 takeaways (league-high nine interceptions, four fumble recoveries) while Kansas City is one of three teams, along with Buffalo and Philadelphia, with only one giveaway this season.
  •  Jacksonville is the fifth team since 2002 with at least three takeaways in each of its first four games of a season, joining the 2024 Green Bay Packers, 2013 Chicago Bears, 2004 Seattle Seahawks and 2002 Philadelphia Eagles. Since 1990, only two teams have recorded two-or-more interceptions in each of their first five games of a season – the 1996 Green Bay Packers (first eight games) and 2021 Dallas Cowboys (first five).
  • Last week, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had four touchdown passes and reached 250 touchdown passes in his 116th career game, surpassing Aaron Rodgers (121 games) for the fastest player in NFL history to reach 250 career touchdown passes. Mahomes has 43 career games with at least three touchdowns and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (42 games) for the second-most by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (46 games).

49ERS DC ROBERT SALEH CLARIFIES REMARKS ABOUT JAGS COACH LIAM COEN

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh blamed his own word choice for sparking a postgame tiff with Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen after the teams’ Sunday game.

Days before the contest, Saleh discussed Coen and the Jaguars being adept at “legal signal stealing.”

Jacksonville went on to beat San Francisco 26-21. As the teams met at midfield postgame, Coen sought out Saleh. Video from Action Sports Jax showed Coen saying, “Keep my name out of your mouth. Keep my name out of your f–ing mouth.” Saleh responded, “I will f– your world up.”

Saleh took a much different tone on Tuesday.

“It is all good,” the former New York Jets head coach said. “Whatever happened on Sunday doesn’t change how I feel. In my heart, I genuinely was trying to give a compliment, and I own the fact that I probably used the wrong choice of words, but however you want to word it. …

“Obviously, I did a poor job with the words. I mean, if I said the words ‘film study,’ I don’t think we’re really talking about this. But I used ‘signal stealing’ and that’s why I was so adamant about ‘legally.’ I was just struggling for the words, but for Sean (McVay, the Los Angeles Rams’ head coach), same thing. These guys are the best in the world and that’s why they’re there.”

Saleh added of the Jaguars, who are off to a 3-1 start, “I think Liam’s doing a hell of a job. I really do. You can tell that that team’s really taking on his personality and I hope they came out of the game healthy, and I wish him the best of luck throughout the rest of the season. I wish I could have found a better choice of words, but my intent was always to compliment that football staff.”

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan added of his assistant, “Saleh’s too nice usually but seemed like someone struck a chord the other day. I don’t think there’s any fights going on. It was kind of comical now to look back at it.”

The 49ers (3-1) are preparing to oppose the Rams (3-1) on Thursday in Inglewood, Calif.

49ERS’ OFFENSE BANGED UP HEADING INTO SHOWDOWN VS. RAMS

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy continues to be hindered by a painful turf toe injury but remains hopeful he will be on the field when his team battles the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night in Inglewood, Calif.

The NFC West rivals have 3-1 records as part of a three-way tie for first place with the Seattle Seahawks, and Purdy is feeling the urgency to play in the division showdown.

“If I can play this game, I’m going to play,” Purdy said on Tuesday. “Obviously, I want to get right and get healthy and everything, but we need to win this game against the Rams, so that’s how I’m looking at it.”

Purdy didn’t participate in the team’s Tuesday walkthrough, and the team will divulge his official status on Wednesday.

Purdy was initially hurt during San Francisco’s Week 1 victory over the Seahawks and missed the next two games. He has the same number of touchdown passes (four) as interceptions in his two 2025 appearances.

He returned for a 26-21 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and felt pain in the toe following the contest.

“I sort of expected it, but with the quick turnaround Thursday night game and everything, it’s just tougher,” Purdy said of the soreness. “I don’t have as many days to get right and heal up and feel better. That’s just where we’re at.”

Mac Jones would draw the start if Purdy can’t play. Jones has been dealing with a knee injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, but he is no longer limited in practice.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said pain tolerance is only part of the decision regarding Purdy.

“It will come down to whether we feel he can play to 100 percent of his ability and if we feel that he can protect himself,” Shanahan said.

Whoever plays quarterback for San Francisco might have limited weapons at his disposal. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) remain on injured reserve, and receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle/rib), Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jordan Watkins (calf) did not practice on Tuesday.

The 49ers badly want to beat the Rams, who swept San Francisco last season and have won the past three meetings.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford isn’t concerned about the modest streak. He is more concerned about the fierce test the 49ers pose.

“I think they’re a really well-rounded football team, always have been,” Stafford said. “When we play them, it’s a bare-knuckles physical fight. They’re gonna try to run the ball right at you, play-action it over the top, and on defense, they’re gonna line up, know exactly what they’re in and just try to out-physical you. So it’s a big challenge for us, but a lot of credit to them because they’ve done a heck of a job with some injuries along the way early on.”

Stafford passed for a season-high 375 yards on Sunday in a 27-20 comeback victory over the visiting Indianapolis Colts.

Stafford tossed a tying 9-yard scoring pass to Puka Nacua with 3:20 to play, then connected with Tutu Atwell for an 88-yard touchdown catch with 1:33 left on the first play of the Rams’ next possession.

The touchdown was the first of the season for Nacua, who had 13 catches for a regular-season career-best 170 yards against the Colts. He leads the NFL with both 42 receptions and 503 receiving yards, which is 101 more receiving yards than second-place Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

“He’s consistent, you know he can get open,” Rams wideout Davante Adams said of Nacua. “He’s got a lot more tools than people realize. Great, great hands and strong at the catch point. And he’s obviously really tough to bring down once he’s running with the ball.”

Tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle) are among the Rams dealing with injuries.

Defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (ankle) sat out the 49ers’ Tuesday walkthrough.

49ERS QB BROCK PURDY (TOE) HOLDING OUT HOPE HE CAN PLAY THURSDAY

With a game against the NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams coming up Thursday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) said he has not been ruled out from playing in it.

Purdy missed Weeks 2 and 3 due to a toe injury but returned Sunday. The fourth-year quarterback told reporters following the 49ers’ 26-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that he didn’t have any issues during the game. But as the evening passed, he said pain began to set in, prompting a call to head coach Kyle Shanahan to inform him of that.

Purdy was listed as a non-participant in practice each of the past two days, and he’s running out of time to practice given the short turnaround. It doesn’t help Purdy that San Francisco had just a walk-through Tuesday and have no more full practices before playing Thursday night.

“If I can play this game, I want to play,” Purdy said. “Obviously, I want to get right and get healthy and everything, but we need to win this game against the Rams. So that’s how I’m looking at it.”

Shanahan said Tuesday the choice on who to start, Purdy or backup Mac Jones, will come down to how effective the team feels Purdy can be.

“It’ll come down to do we feel he could play and to 100 percent of his ability, and do we feel that he can protect himself with it?” Shanahan said.

Both the 49ers and Rams are 3-1 heading into their key divisional matchup in Los Angeles on Thursday night. While the Rams have played all non-NFC West opponents thus far, the Niners beat the other two NFC West foes, the Seahawks and Cardinals.

Purdy added that he didn’t aggravate the injury on any one play; it was just a build-up after playing in the game. He also said it feels better than when he first hurt it in Week 1 vs. the Seahawks.

Purdy has completed 48 of 73 passes for 586 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions, in his two games as a starter. Jones is 53-of-80 passing for 563 yards, with four scores and one pick while going 2-0 in his two games.

Also worth noting is the Niners’ pass-catching corps has been short-handed — tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) have been out — and that could get even worse this week, as receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) did not practice Tuesday.

BRONCOS’ SEAN PAYTON CALLS B.S. ON ‘TUSH PUSH’ CRITICS

If the Philadelphia Eagles successfully execute the “tush push” against Denver on Sunday, Broncos coach Sean Payton will tip his cap to what he considers a well conceived play.

A long-time supporter of the controversial play despite not implementing it in Denver’s offensive scheme, Payton said he questions the motives behind those around the league who have attempted to ban the short-yardage play popularized and oft-executed by the Eagles.

Philadelphia converted 28-of-34 tush push attempts last season.

A proposal to ban the tush push fell short of the required 24 votes at the NFL owners meetings in May, with ESPN reporting the final vote was 22-10. While the Broncos were reportedly one of those 22 teams, Payton has long been in favor of it.

Critics have cited several issues with the rugby-style play, from aesthetics to competitive reasons. But Payton’s skeptic alarm rang when detractors began citing healthy and safety concerns minus any conclusive supporting data.

“I was one that stood up in favor of (the tush push). The reason I stood up in favor of is pretty simple. If the powers to be don’t want it for aesthetic reasons, or competitive reasons, or it’s hard to officiate, etc.,” Payton said on Tuesday. “I’ve been involved in those meetings for a long time, and when all of the sudden health and safety was pulled into that which might be the safest play in football, my (bulls–t) nose kind of went up.”

Also nicknamed the “Brotherly Shove,” the play typically features Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts taking the snap in short-yards situations and driving his legs forward while being pushed from behind.

Philadelphia introduced new wrinkles into the play in last week’s win at Tampa Bay. There was a fake tush push that resulted in a touchdown by running back Saquon Barkley, while Hurts threw for another score on another variation of the play.

“I think credit Philadelphia. Take a peek at this past week’s touchdown off the tush push look, and it was a sweep to the left,” Payton said in a video conference Tuesday. “I’m one that looks at it as long as the line of scrimmage is clean, that it’s a well-run quarterback sneak. When you really evaluate it, it’s more the technique of the sneak than the push.

“You go all the way back to (1967), Green Bay against Dallas in the ‘Ice Bowl’ and (Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback) Bart Starr crosses the goal line with someone pushing a little bit behind him. So I was one that was in favor of leaving it alone on Philly’s side.”

Green Bay was the team that drafted the proposal, reportedly at the suggestion of the NFL, citing player safety concerns. There have been additional concerns raised this season, with officials reportedly having been instructed to place more emphasis on ensuring the offensive line doesn’t move until the ball is snapped.

“I am done with the tush push guys. It’s a hard play to officiate,” FOX NFL rules analyst Dean Blandino said earlier this month.

The Packers play the Eagles on Nov. 10 in a “Monday Night Football” game at Lambeau Field.

The Eagles defeated the Packers twice last season — in the season opener at Brazil and in a postseason rematch at Philadelphia — and are 3-0 in the matchup since coach Nick Sirianni was hired in 2021.

RAVENS QB LAMAR JACKSON REPORTEDLY OUT WEEK 5

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not play in Week 5 and could be facing a longer absence because of a hamstring injury, the Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday.

Jackson left the Ravens’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Ravens (1-3) play the Houston Texans (1-3) this week with a roster besieged by injuries.

Head coach John Harbaugh would not confirm the status of Jackson, but bit back at suggestions Jackson could have finished the loss to the Chiefs.

“There was no way he was going to go back into the game,” Harbaugh said. “The injury precluded it. The way I know Lamar, if he could’ve gone in the game, he would’ve been in the game. That’s how he is.”

Without Jackson against the Texans, the Ravens are expected to turn to Cooper Rush. The former Cowboys backup was signed in the offseason to bring an experienced hand if Jackson was unavailable.

“If he’s out there, it will be geared toward him,” Harbaugh said of Rush. “We’ve got a good group around him. We have a lot of playmakers around him if he’s playing. Same thing for Tyler Huntley if he’s playing.”

Already hurting at multiple key positions, the Ravens had other players leave Kansas City with ailments that could require multiple-game absences.

Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Nate Wiggins (elbow), and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) are all uncertain for Week 5. NFL Network reported Smith and Humphrey might miss 2-3 weeks.

DOLPHINS WR TYREEK HILL HAS SEASON-ENDING KNEE SURGERY

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill underwent a “major knee procedure” Tuesday to repair his torn ACL and other ligament damage, coach Mike McDaniel confirmed.

Hill will miss at least the rest of the 2025 season after dislocating his left knee and suffering the ligament tears during Monday’s 27-21 victory over the New York Jets.

McDaniel told reporters that he had heard “good things” about any nerve damage to Hill’s knee and said the eight-time Pro Bowler may not need more surgeries beyond Tuesday.

“It hasn’t been deemed to be anything beyond this surgery and we’re very hopeful for it to turn out well,” McDaniel said. “But no, it hasn’t been explained (that multiple surgeries are) an absolute necessity. It’s just executing this procedure and seeing what happens from there.”

Hill was injured when he caught a 10-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa near the New York sideline with 13:21 left in the third quarter. His leg twisted awkwardly as he was going out of bounds, and Hill immediately grabbed for the knee.

While being carted off with an air cast on his leg, Hill forcefully clapped his hands several times, smiled and laughed in response to the crowd.

“He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I’ve ever — it’s just such a terrible experience when you go out and see guys when they have issues like that,” McDaniel said immediately after the game. “But he immediately had wide eyes and was talking, ‘I’m good. Just make sure the guys get this win.’ He was focused on the team.”

Those high spirits continued Tuesday, when Hill posted a video to social media showing him in a hospital bed before his surgery.

“Keep your boy in your prayers,” Hill said. “You guys have been awesome, man. Fins Nation, just the whole entire NFL has been amazing, sending me lots of love, lots of prayers. I’m absolutely honored.”

Hill, 31, had six receptions for 67 yards before exiting. He has 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown in four games this season.

Hill is in his fourth season with the Dolphins after playing his first six campaigns with the Chiefs. Hill helped Kansas City win the Super Bowl after the 2019 season. He is a five-time first-team All-Pro who was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team as a punt returner.

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HIGH-POWERED OFFENSES CLASH AS NO. 21 NOTRE DAME FACES BOISE STATE

Boise State coach Spencer Danielson knows his team might need some time to absorb its first trip to Notre Dame Stadium.

Danielson feels the same way as his players. That is why he is going to lead a tour of the stadium one day before Boise State (3-1) kicks off against No. 21 Notre Dame (2-2) on Saturday afternoon in South Bend, Ind.

“As a football fan, which we all are, and even me growing up in Southern California, Notre Dame’s a team that you watch consistently year in and year out,” Danielson said. “I mean, from ‘Rudy’ to South Bend to Touchdown Jesus, there’s so much amazing history tied to Notre Dame. And I’ve never been there. I’m fired up as a coach. …

“And so, we’re going to be able to see the stadium the day before and go through it. Because I want, by the time we get to kickoff, it’s time to go play football. They’ve got really good players. I believe in our players, too.”

The Broncos will look for the upset win after tallying three wins in a row against Eastern Washington, Air Force and Appalachian State. Boise State’s lone loss so far this season was on Aug. 28 at South Florida.

Notre Dame is seeking its third win in a row after knocking off Purdue and Arkansas in back-to-back weeks. The Fighting Irish scored 56 points in each of the past two games.

A big reason for the offensive surge is the performance of redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr. He has passed for 1,091 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions through his first four starts.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman praised Carr for playing so well so early in his career.

“It’s rare to be a second-year college football player playing in your fifth (career) game and performing at a level he’s performing at,” Freeman said. “It’s rare. But I think CJ Carr is rare.

“He has this unique trait that very few people have. He is … a competitive, selfless individual. It’s not about CJ Carr. He’s not so competitive that, ‘I want to be able to throw for this amount.’ It’s like, ‘Whatever we’ve got to do to win.’”

Carr is helped by the potent one-two rushing attack of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Love has rushed for 341 yards and five touchdowns, and Price has produced 273 yards and six TDs on the ground.

Boise State also has thrived on offense, as it has scored 47-plus points in its last three games.

Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen has passed for 1,129 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. His top receiver, Latrell Caples, has 240 receiving yards and two scores.

Boise State also leans heavily on the run. Three players have figured prominently into the rushing attack, including Dylan Riley (360 yards, 5 TDs), Sire Gaines (245 yards, 1 TD) and Malik Sherrod (198 yards, 2 TDs).

Freeman acknowledged it will be a challenge to slow Boise State’s ground game.

“They’re going to keep fresh guys in there and make you stop the run,” he said. “We have to understand that. … We’ve got to be aggressive, and we’ve got to tackle well because those running backs, if you miss them, they’ll go the distance.”

NO. 16 VANDERBILT CONFIDENT, HOPING FOR ‘FUN TIME’ AT NO. 10 ALABAMA

Diego Pavia delivered Vanderbilt’s biggest victory ever when he guided the Commodores past then-No. 1 Alabama last season in a monumental upset.

Pavia’s next task is producing another mammoth triumph in the rematch to continue the program’s best start since 2008.

Pavia looks to excel once again when No. 16 Vanderbilt faces the No. 10 Crimson Tide in a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference contest on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Last season, Pavia completed 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns as the Commodores earned a 40-35 win in Nashville for the program’s first-ever win against a top-five program. It also was Vanderbilt’s first win against Alabama since 1984 to end a 23-game skid against the Crimson Tide.

So when the Commodores (5-0, 1-0 SEC) appear in town this weekend, they are no longer viewed as the pushover team that the Crimson Tide typically clobber.

Pavia is looking forward to experiencing the environment.

“Tuscaloosa will be a good, fun time,” Pavia said. “I’ve never played there. I think a few of the guys have been there. This is what you come into the SEC for, big games like this. We’ll be real excited to go down there and check them out.”

Last season, Alabama (3-1, 1-0) couldn’t prevent Vanderbilt from hogging the ball.

The Commodores converted 12 of 18 third-down opportunities and controlled the ball for 42 minutes and eight seconds.

Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer hasn’t forgotten the details and knows Vanderbilt is an even better team this year in Clark Lea’s fifth season at the helm.

“We’re going to need everything (we’ve) got against a very good Vanderbilt team coming up here on Saturday,” DeBoer said. “Coach Lea, a ton of respect for him. I’ve known him for a long time. I knew a year ago, you could see and feel the positive movement that they had inside the program. You could see the style of play, it being team football.

“They continue to do that — 5-0, a ranked opponent coming into our house. Just got to continue to keep the focus on us.”

Alabama has won three straight games after producing a 24-21 victory at then-No. 5 Georgia last weekend.

Ty Simpson passed for 276 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a score as he continued his fine season. Simpson hasn’t been intercepted and is completing 69.3 percent of his passes for 1,138 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Simpson said his squad is taking a “Crimson Tide against the world” approach.

“That’s the kind of mentality that we have to have throughout the season,” Simpson said. “It’s Alabama against everybody.”

Vanderbilt is coming off a 55-35 home win over Utah State. Pavia tied the school record of five touchdown passes and topped 300 yards — he had 321 — for the first time in his two seasons at the school.

Pavia is completing 74.6 percent of his passes for 1,211 yards and 13 touchdowns against three interceptions. He also has rushed for 294 yards and two scores.

Pavia will long be remembered at Vanderbilt for the epic victory over Alabama in 2024. Now the Commodores are itching for another chance to beat the Crimson Tide.

“We know the task at hand, but we’re excited for it,” said Lea, “and this group has positioned us to be undefeated heading down there, and that means a lot.”

MINNESOTA SEARCHES FOR CRACKS IN NO. 1 OHIO STATE’S ROCK-SOLID DEFENSE

Drake Lindsey didn’t play like a redshirt freshman quarterback when he led Minnesota on the game-winning drive against Rutgers last weekend.

His 324 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air earned him Big Ten freshman of the week honors, but coach P.J. Fleck knows the Golden Gophers (3-1, 1-0) will have to play at a much higher level when they visit No. 1 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday night in a conference game in Columbus, Ohio.

It doesn’t help that Fleck’s young signal-caller will not only face one of the best defenses in the nation, but also an intimidating atmosphere at Ohio Stadium.

“That place is 107,000 fans, and it’s deafening, and that’s for a noon kickoff, or an 11 a.m. (Central), let alone all of them doing what they do, tailgating all day and being ready for the night game that the fans have asked for,” Fleck said. “So we know we’re walking into a really hostile environment.”

The Buckeyes are coming off a 24-6 win at Washington in which the two field goals by the Huskies actually raised (slightly) Ohio State’s points allowed to an average of 5.5 — still good enough to lead the nation. The Huskies had been averaging 55.5 points.

Opponents have scored just two touchdowns against Ohio State: Texas in the opener and Ohio in the third game.

The Buckeyes defense is led by the law-office-sounding tandem of Caden and Kayden. Caden Curry totaled 11 tackles with five tackles for loss — tying the Ohio State record for a game — and three sacks at Washington. Kayden McDonald made seven tackles with three TFLs and two sacks.

“Caden is somebody who has played a lot of football here, special teams-wise and has made a lot of plays. Now he’s a key contributor,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said.

The Golden Gophers might be without running back Darius Taylor, who has missed the past two games because of an injury. He is 54 yards shy of becoming the 18th player in program history to run for 2,000 yards.

Fleck on Monday was evasive on Taylor’s status, who has been listed as “doubtful” for previous games.

“I’m sure there’ll be another report this week,” the coach said. “Whatever adjective you want to describe him this week, feel free. But two hours before kickoff, we’ll know. There’s one Darius Taylor, and when Darius Taylor goes down, I think that does impact your offense.”

While the Ohio State defense has been superb, the offense with first-year starter Julian Sayin is still evolving. Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline took a conservative approach for Sayin in his first road last weekend but expect more aggression in front of the home fans.

Sayin threw for 208 yards and two TDs against the Huskies, but his longest completion was just 19 yards to Jeremiah Smith with 1:52 left in the game.
Day still likes the way his team is progressing.

“You’re seeing maturity,” he said. “There’s no way to see it other than that. … To play the way that we’ve played up to this point shows maturity, and that was a big emphasis point for us this summer.”

NO. 22 ILLINOIS BRINGS HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE INTO PURDUE SHOWDOWN

Even with a high-profile hiccup, No. 22 Illinois keeps clicking behind an explosive offense entering Saturday afternoon’s game against Big Ten Conference rival Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Fighting Illini (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) are averaging 35.8 points a game, and yes, that includes the 63-10 loss in its conference opener at then-No. 19 Indiana on Sept. 20.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer rallied to rebound last week, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors in a 34-32 home win against then-No. 21 Southern California, passing for 328 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for one TD and even catching a scoring pass.

Altmyer’s 11 touchdown passes are tied for ninth-best in the country.

While wideout Hank Beatty has been splashy as the nation’s only player with passing, rushing, receiving and punt-return TDs, Justin Bowick is tops on the team with four touchdown receptions.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney said he thinks the 6-foot-4 Bowick’s size will be a concern for Purdue and going forward. A Ball State transfer, Bowick was limited to 20 receptions and three TDs last season due to injury. He began his collegiate career at Eastern Illinois.

“He’s a threat no matter where he’s at; he’s a good football player, and he’s going to continue to play for us and make an impact in games,” Lunney said. “But obviously, he’s done a great job with his opportunities. … J-Bo, he’s been a nice threat for us.”

Purdue (2-2, 0-1), meanwhile, is coming off a bye week in which it sought to make bygones out of the past two games.

During a 33-17 home loss to Southern Cal on Sept. 13 and a 56-30 defeat at then-No. 24 Notre Dame a week later, the Purdue defense yielded 32 plays of at least 10 yards. That included 11 plays of more than 20 yards.

Meanwhile, Purdue’s offense averaged only 2.3 yards per carry in those defeats and is averaging just 3.1 this season.

“It gave us a lot of time to sit back and really, truly evaluate,” Boilermakers defensive coordinator Mike Scherer said. “No one’s feelings are getting hurt. Nothing like that. There’s no egos, there’s no nothing. We look at it and say, ‘OK, here’s what’s been good, here’s what’s been bad. How do we move forward and play better?’”

Purdue will aim to ramp up the pressure against Altmyer and the Illinois attack. Defensive back Myles Slusher recorded Purdue’s lone sack at Notre Dame as the defense generated just two tackles for loss.

Offensively, the Boilermakers showed some pizzazz, as quarterback Ryan Browne caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Devin Mockobee in addition to throwing for 250 yards and a score against Notre Dame.

“I think where he’s at, I think he’s playing really well,” Purdue coach Barry Odom said of Browne. “I think he can play better. Ryan will tell you that, too.”

Purdue leads the all-time series 48-46-6, but Illinois boasts recent bragging rights after earning a 50-49 overtime victory at home last season. Altmyer passed for a career-best 379 yards while accounting for four total touchdowns, including three through the air.

NO. 18 FLORIDA STATE’S STELLAR OFFENSE MEETS NO. 3 MIAMI’S TOUGH D

For the first five weeks of the season, No. 3 Miami did not have to leave home.

The Hurricanes played their first four games at home and were on bye last weekend. Miami finally hits the road for a high-stakes rivalry in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener versus No. 18 Florida State on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.

The contest was on track to be a top-10 clash before the Seminoles (3-1, 0-1 ACC) stubbed their toe in a 46-38 double-overtime loss at Virginia last week.

Still, it will be the first time these teams face off while both ranked since 2016. The two programs, which have won a combined eight national titles since 1983, have traded off successful seasons over past the eight years.

“We always knew this as the best rivalry in football,” said Miami coach Mario Cristobal, who played for the Hurricanes from 1989-92.

While Florida State limps into this game off an upset defeat, Cristobal knows not to take the Seminoles lightly — not after what they did to then-No. 8 Alabama in a resounding 31-17 win to begin the season.

“Getting ready for a very talented, physical and well-coached Florida State team that is playing at a high level,” Cristobal said. “Statistically in the top 10 in just about every meaningful category.”

That’s certainly true with regard to Florida State’s offense. Even after the loss, the Seminoles still lead the nation in scoring offense (53.0 points per game) and total offense (600.0 yards).

While those yardage numbers certainly are skewed by games against East Texas A&M and Kent State, Florida State still managed 514 total yards in the loss to the Cavaliers. The Seminoles have surpassed the 500-yard mark in three straight games for the first time since 2013.

The defense, though, took a sizable step back at Virginia. After the Seminoles began the season by holding Alabama to 341 yards of offense, 87 rushing yards and 17 points, Virginia gouged Florida State’s defense to the tune of 440 yards, 211 rushing yards and six touchdowns, twice as many as the team allowed in its first three games combined.

“Just way too many little errors,” Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White said. “Got to go back through and adjust during the week and make sure that we get that shored up, because we’re going to see that again.”

The Seminoles will be facing a more talented offense this week as the Hurricanes come to town. While Miami (4-0, 0-0) hasn’t put up similarly gaudy numbers, the Hurricanes’ offense has been quite effective in wins over then-No. 6 Notre Dame, then-No. 18 South Florida and two weeks ago vs. Florida.

Aided by a strong offensive line and a talented, deep pool of skill-position talent, new Miami quarterback Carson Beck has guided the offense well, completing 73.2 percent of his passes for 972 yards, seven TDs and three interceptions.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell has first-hand familiarity with Beck from the QB’s time at Georgia, when Beck led the Bulldogs to a 63-3 demolition of a depleted Seminoles squad in the Orange Bowl at the end of the 2023 season.

“You can see that here in Miami he’s feeling very comfortable with what they’re asking him to do and what they’ve been able to accomplish here in the early part of the season,” Norvell said of Beck.

Miami’s defense, which leads the ACC in opponents’ scoring (11.5 points per game) and total yardage allowed (244.5 per game), will also serve as quite a test for Florida State’s potent offense.

MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN CLASH FEATURES TEAMS HEADED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Michigan had a bye week before Saturday’s Big Ten matchup with Wisconsin in Ann Arbor. Head coach Sherrone Moore is returning from a longer break.

Moore served a two-game suspension for his involvement in the program’s sign-stealing scandal. The No. 20 Wolverines (3-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) did just fine under associate head coach Biff Poggi, clobbering Central Michigan by 60 points and collecting a three-point road victory over Nebraska in their conference opener.

“Just appreciate him greatly for handling it the way he did,” Moore said.

The bye allowed Michigan to rest up for the Badgers (2-2, 0-1), who lost their last two games and also had last weekend off.

“I feel really good about where we are,” Moore said. “That was the number one goal this week — to get guys healthy, get guys back.”

Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood hasn’t put up big passing numbers thus far, mostly because the running game has worked well. The Wolverines rushed for 286 yards and three touchdowns against the Cornhuskers, including 61 yards and a score from Underwood.

Alabama transfer Justice Haynes has been the team’s breakout star, averaging 8.1 yards per carry while reaching the end zone six times.

The Wolverines will be challenged by a Badgers rushing defense that has allowed just 50 yards per game and 2.1 yards per carry.

“They’re number one in the country. So they’re stout,” Moore said. “They’re big and stout up front. They’ve got guys that have played a lot of football, and they’ve got hard edges.”

Michigan may need to rely more on Underwood’s arm. So far, the highly touted prospect has completed just 56.9 percent of his attempts, but he’s also avoided trouble (one interception).

“The quarterbacks that have the ability to beat you with their arms and their legs are something that always makes it difficult,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. “And even for a younger guy that has a lot of poise, a guy that has some weapons around him, he hasn’t overdone it. That’s the thing that I would say is impressive.”

The Wolverines defense has recorded 14 sacks in four games. They’ll be chasing either Danny O’Neil, Billy Edwards Jr. or Hunter Simmons on Saturday.

O’Neil, a San Diego State transfer, has completed 70.6 percent of his passes but he’s also been picked off five times. Simmons threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass in a 27-10 loss to Maryland in Wisconsin’s last outing.

The Badgers’ traditionally powerful rushing attack hasn’t shown much pop. Their leading rusher, Dilin Jones, has gained just 154 yards. Overall, Wisconsin is averaging 3.1 yards per carry.

Fickell needs a big win to quiet his detractors. The Badgers are 15-15 during his two-plus seasons as their head coach.

“We got an opportunity to look ourselves in the face and figure out some things that we need to do a lot better — along with giving some guys an opportunity to hopefully get some of these, not to say minor injuries, but things that can heal up within a week or two and an opportunity maybe to heal up,” Fickell said. “So I think all those things combined together gave us a good opportunity to use the bye in the best way possible.”

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WNBA NEWS

ACES NEED OT TO TOP SHORT-HANDED FEVER, REACH WNBA FINALS

A’ja Wilson poured in 35 points, Jackie Young had career playoff highs of 32 points and 10 assists and the Las Vegas Aces punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals with a 107-98 overtime victory over the visiting Indiana Fever on Tuesday.

The second-seeded Aces won the best-of-five semifinal series 3-2 and will face the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, which will begin Friday in Las Vegas. The Aces are making their third trip to the finals in four years after winning the title in 2022 and 2023.

Wilson and Young became the first teammates to each register 30-plus points in a WNBA playoff game.

Chelsea Gray scored eight of her 17 points in overtime for Las Vegas, which won 16 straight games to end the regular season.

The short-handed Fever, seeded sixth, pushed the game to overtime even after losing star guard Kelsey Mitchell to injury and seeing center Aliyah Boston foul out late in regulation. Odyssey Sims led six Fever players in double figures with 27 points while adding six assists. Natasha Howard scored 16 points, and Boston paired 11 points with 16 rebounds.

Mitchell had 15 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with a noncontact leg injury. During the same play on which Boston received her fifth foul, Mitchell signaled for medical attention while grabbing at her left knee.

What appeared to be a potential leg cramp turned into several minutes of trainers working on the leg before Mitchell was able to stand and walk off with assistance.

The Fever made 9 of 14 field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter to dig out of a 77-68 deficit in the last 7 1/2 minutes. Boston sank a layup and Sims hit two free throws to tie it at 84 before Boston was called for a loose-ball foul with 27.1 seconds to go, her disqualifying sixth of the game. Indiana unsuccessfully challenged the call.

Young made two free throws, and the Fever used their reset timeout to advance the ball. Wilson tried and failed to steal the inbound pass to Sims, who took it in for a layup with 22.5 seconds left to tie the game 86-86 and ultimately set up overtime.

Las Vegas’ first three field goals of overtime were threes, one by Jewell Loyd and two by Gray. In the final minute, Shey Peddy’s trey cut a six-point Indiana deficit in half, but Young’s pair of foul shots with 20 seconds left cemented the result.

In the first half alone, there were 13 lead changes and 14 ties while neither team led by more than five points. Las Vegas was up 47-45 at the break.

Wilson scored 13 points in the third period, including the Aces’ final seven — a triple, two free throws and a 2-pointer — as Las Vegas built a 71-63 advantage with 10 minutes to go.

COLLIER RIPS ENGELBERT: WNBA HAS ‘WORST LEADERSHIP IN THE WORLD’

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier didn’t hold back in her criticism of WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert during her exit interview Tuesday.

The MVP runner-up began her media availability by reading a four-minute statement criticizing multiple aspects of the league and its leadership, including inconsistent officiating.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was suspended for Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals and reportedly received a league-record $15,000 fine for her conduct and postgame comments regarding the officiating in Game 3.

Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever and Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces were also docked $1,000 each for voicing their support of Reeve.

“Our leadership’s answer to being held accountable is to suppress everyone’s voices by handing out fines,” said Collier, per ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “I’m not concerned about a fine. I’m concerned about the future of our sport. …

“We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now, we have the worst leadership in the world.”

Collier says she tore “a couple” of ligaments in her left ankle due to her collision with Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas in the late stages of Game 3, according to The Athletic’s Ben Pickman. No call was made on the sequence and Thomas subsequently converted a layup to put the contest out of reach.

Collier says players can’t reliably produce a quality product if officials are continually allowed “to lose control of games.”

“Whether the league cares about the health of the players is one thing, but to also not care about the product we put on the floor is truly self-sabotage,” Collier said. “Year after year, the only thing that remains consistent is a lack of accountability from our leaders.”

Collier added, “Fans see it every night. Coaches – both winning and losing – point it out every night in pregame and postgame media, yet leadership just issues fines and looks the other way. They ignore the issues that everyone inside the game is begging to be fixed. That is negligence.”

Collier, who serves as vice president of the WNBA players’ union, revealed that she met with Engelbert at Unrivaled in February to discuss how the commissioner planned to address the league’s officiating issues.

The five-time All-Star says Engelbert told her that “‘only the losers complain about the refs.'”

Collier said she also asked Engelbert about increasing the value of rookie-scale contracts with the current CBA set to expire in October and the likes of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers driving so much revenue for the WNBA.

“‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything,'” Collier said of Engelbert’s response. “And in that same conversation, she told me, ‘Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.’

“That’s the mentality driving our league from the top. We go to battle every day to protect a shield that doesn’t value us. The league believes it succeeds despite its players, not because of them.”

Clark had no response to Collier’s recollection of Engelbert’s comments, the Fever told ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.

Engelbert responded to Collier in a statement released later Tuesday.

“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA. Together, we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league,” Engelbert said. “My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game.

“I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”

WINGS FIRE KOCLANES AFTER FINISHING LAST IN ONLY SEASON

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Wings fired coach Chris Koclanes on Tuesday after going 10-34 in his only season, even with No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers winning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors.

“As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization,” Curt Miller, the team’s executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement announcing the move.

Miller, who just completed his first season with the organization, said the Wings are well-positioned for future success with new team facilities being built, a youthful roster and the rights to three first-round draft choices over the next two years, including a lottery pick next spring.

The Wings will have their fifth coach in a seven-season span. Koclanes had replaced Latricia Trammell, who was let go after going 31-49 in two seasons, including 2-3 in the playoffs. The Wings went 9-31 in 2024, ending a run of three consecutive postseason appearances.

Koclanes had been on Miller’s coaching staff in Connecticut from 2016-22 and helped the Sun reach the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022. He was in his second season on the staff at Southern California when hired by the Wings, about six weeks after Miller became their GM.

Dallas began this season 1-11, and had a 10-game losing streak that was its longest this year before winning its finale at Phoenix to avoid a second consecutive nine-win season. The Wings matched Chicago, which beat them in all three meetings, for the WNBA’s worst record.

Bueckers was still the runaway choice for Rookie of the Year after one of the best debut seasons in league history. She received 70 of the 72 votes from sports writers and broadcasters in that balloting.

She was also the AP Rookie of the Year after averaging 19.2 points on 47.7% shooting along with 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals. Eight days after leading UConn to its 12th national championship, Bueckers was drafted No. 1 overall on April 14.

Her 692 points and 194 assists were the third most by a WNBA rookie, even while missing eight games because of a concussion, an illness and later a sore knee. She scored 44 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 20.

Dallas didn’t have any player appear in every game this season, adding up to well over 100 games missed due to injury or absence. There were several times they had to sign players to hardship contracts just to have the league minimum of eight players available for games.

Among the injured was four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale (right knee), who played only 29 games.

The Wings and the city of Dallas just last week broke ground on a new practice facility that is expected to open before next season. But their move to a renovated downtown arena has been postponed at least a year because of construction delays, and they will continue to play games on the University of Texas at Arlington campus next season.

The team has played in Arlington since moving from Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 2016 season.

WNBA SIGNS 11-YEAR MEDIA RIGHTS DEAL TO AIR GAMES ON USA NETWORK

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has another broadcast partner after signing an 11-year media rights deal with Versant to show regular-season games and portions of the playoffs beginning next year on USA Network.

As part of the multi-year agreement, which runs through 2036, USA Network will present at least 50 games annually, including coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals games in select years beginning in 2026.

The agreement expands the game package that was to be distributed by USA Network under the WNBA’s historic national media deals signed in 2024. That deal included partnerships with Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC and was worth about $200 million a year. Neither side announced how much money this new deal would bring to the league.

“We’re incredibly proud to expand our multi-year partnership with the WNBA,” said Matt Hong, Versant’s president of sports. “USA Network will be a destination for WNBA viewers all season long, as we showcase the star power across the league in our marquee Wednesday night doubleheaders and build toward the intensity of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals.”

USA Network will have Wednesday night doubleheaders as well as a pregame and postgame studio show. The league also has a deal with the ION network for Friday night games.

“Partnering with VERSANT and USA Network marks another significant milestone for the WNBA’s continued growth,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “As demand for women’s basketball continues to rise, partnerships like this expand the visibility and accessibility of our game. By establishing a weekly primetime destination for fans, this agreement will showcase the excitement of the WNBA to more households than ever before and further elevate the incredible athletes in this league.”

The league is currently in discussions with the players’ union to come up with a new collective bargaining agreement as the current one expires at the end of October.

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NBA NEWS

REPORTS: SETH CURRY SET TO JOIN STEPHEN CURRY WITH WARRIORS

The Golden State Warriors are prepared to reunite two sharpshooting brothers as Seth Curry agreed to a one-year deal with the team to play alongside Stephen Curry, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.

Seth Curry reportedly is arriving on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract, which would permit him to work with the club throughout training camp. However, he subsequently would have to be waived before the Warriors could bring him in early in the season on a prorated deal that would allow them to stay within the NBA’s salary-cap rules.

A 35-year-old journeyman, Seth Curry led the league in 3-point shooting accuracy last season, hitting 45.6 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc for the Charlotte Hornets.

His career 3-point shooting percentage, 43.3 percent, ranks second among active players, trailing only Luke Kennard’s 43.8 percent and just ahead of Stephen Curry’s 43.2 percent. Seth Curry is seventh on the all-time list for 3-point shooting accuracy, a list topped by Golden State coach Steve Kerr (45.4 percent).

Seth Curry is set to join his 10th NBA team. He broke into the league in 2013-14, playing one game each for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has subsequently suited up for the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas again, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas a third time and the Hornets.

Last season, he averaged 6.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 15.6 minutes in 68 games (14 starts) for Charlotte.

In 550 career games (224 starts), he puts up 10.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest.

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NHL NEWS

MINNESOTA WILD SIGN KIRILL KAPRIZOV TO RICHEST DEAL IN NHL HISTORY: $136 MILLION OVER 8 YEARS

The Minnesota Wild signed star left wing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million extension on Tuesday, giving him the richest contract in NHL history.

The 28-year-old Kaprizov will count $17 million against the salary cap beginning next season, through 2034. That’s the highest annual average salary of any player since the league’s cap era began in 2005, surpassing Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl at $112 million over eight years, a $14 million annual average. Alex Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract signed with Washington in 2008 was previously the highest total value.

“We never wanted to entertain Kirill not being here,” general manager Bill Guerin said.

Kaprizov’s contract sets a new bar at one of the most intriguing financial times in pro hockey. The best player in the world, Connor McDavid, is entering the final year of his contract with Edmonton and could become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Jack Eichel (Vegas) and Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers) are also pending unrestricted free agents.

Kaprizov will play this season on the final year of a five-year, $45 million deal he signed in September 2021, when he started that contract by tallying 47 goals and 61 assists in 81 games in the 2021-22 season, all career highs. Kaprizov holds several franchise records, including the best career plus-minus rating (plus-71) by a forward.

Kaprizov, who has 386 points in 319 regular-season games and 21 points in 25 playoff games, opened training camp without a deal but reiterated to reporters after the first practice session how much he enjoys the Twin Cities area, the fans, his teammates and the organization.

Still, he acknowledged on Tuesday that the signing provided significant relief with the regular season starting in nine days.

“Now it’s all done and we just start playing and we don’t think about this,” Kaprizov said.

Kaprizov won the Calder Trophy with 27 goals and 24 assists in 55 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season and has been the Wild’s most productive and dynamic player ever since. He received 99 of 100 first-place votes as the league’s top rookie, becoming the first Wild player to win the award.

Drafted in the fifth round in 2015, Kaprizov stayed and played in the KHL in his native Russia until finally signing with Minnesota in July 2020. The only snags for the Wild since then have come off the ice. The pandemic made negotiations more difficult on his previous deal, which didn’t get done until right before training camp.

The following summer, his return to Russia led to a stressful offseason for the entire organization as Kaprizov ran into several roadblocks in his attempt to travel back to the U.S. because of political relations between the two countries. Expiration of his work visa and pandemic-related backlogs at foreign consulates made the paperwork process more complicated.

Injuries began to pop up for Kaprizov, but he still managed 40 goals and 35 assists in 67 games in 2022-23 and 46 goals and 50 assists in 75 games in 2023-24. Last season was his most frustrating, when an unspecified lower-body injury eventually required surgery and ultimately cost him 40 games. He still had 25 goals and 31 assists and returned to the ice with a flourish right before the playoffs, when he had five goals and four assists in a six-game loss in the first round to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kaprisov is beloved in the Wild locker room, a frequently smiling, soft-spoken player who has improved his English to the point where he doesn’t use an interpreter like he did at the beginning of his career. Only right wing Marian Gaborik, the first player ever drafted by the Wild, who entered the league as an expansion club in 2000, had a skill set and scoring touch that rivaled Kaprizov’s in the history of a franchise that has not advanced past the first round of the playoffs in 10 years and never reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Until now, the longest and richest contracts in Wild history went to left wing Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter, who signed identical 13-year, $98 million deals on July 4, 2012. The buyouts of those deals in 2021 came at a cost, particularly during the last two seasons with the charges accounting for about 17% of the team’s salary cap.

REBUILDING NHL TEAMS PRIORITIZE DEVELOPING TOP PROSPECTS AMID NHL’S RISING SALARY CAP

CHICAGO (AP) — When it comes to his plans for the Chicago Blackhawks, general manager Kyle Davidson is focused on the growth and maturation of the organization’s top prospects. That group includes a total of 11 first-round picks since the 2022 draft.

Such is life these days for the NHL’s rebuilding teams, looking to chart a course back to the playoffs in a league with a rising salary cap. Financial flexibility — when it comes to free agency, or using cap space to facilitate a trade — isn’t what it used to be, putting an even bigger emphasis on player development.

“(Free agency) is something that’s definitely a tool in our toolbox in roster building,” Davidson said. “But I think the main one has to be and will be growing from within and building from within.”

The salary cap for this season is $95.5 million, up from $88 million. It goes up to $104 million for the 2026-27 season and $113.5 million in ’27-28. Making the most of the NHL’s healthy financial outlook, many of the league’s top teams retained their best players this summer.

Mitch Marner went from Toronto to Las Vegas in a sign-and-trade deal before free agency started, and Nikolaj Ehlers waited until July 3 before agreeing to a $51 million, six-year contract with Carolina. But depth pieces made up most of the free agent market.

Kirill Kaprizov agreed to a $136 million, eight-year contract with Minnesota that was announced on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Kaprizov could have hit free agency after this season, but the talented forward stayed with the Wild for a record-setting deal.

“You saw it this summer,” Columbus general manager Don Waddell said. “Summers before you’d always have seven, eight, nine teams that had to move money to get under the cap. You didn’t see that this summer. … I think going forward you’re going to see less free agency. You’re going to see teams locking up their own players if they can.”

A diminished level of free agency puts the NHL’s non-playoff teams in the same boat, facing even more pressure to grow their own stars.

“Ultimately, for teams in our situation, I think you need those young players coming in to build that core,” Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman said.

Developing those young players goes beyond the organization, stretching to its draft picks on college, junior and international club teams. Anton Frondell, an 18-year-old forward who was selected by Chicago with the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, is staying in Sweden this season, and Vaclav Nestrasil, another first-rounder for the Blackhawks, is playing for the University of Massachusetts.

When it comes to their prospects in other programs, NHL teams stay in close contact with their players and the coaching staffs on their teams. It doesn’t sound as if Davidson and the Blackhawks have any plans to alter their approach even with their development focus.

“We let the player, we’re an input into their decision-making process, and then we let them go,” Davidson said. “And then once they’re in an environment, in a program, we try and work with and alongside the coaching staff, because what we don’t want is our player to be put in the crosshairs or at an intersection of our direction and the coaching staff direction with where they’re at, and then the player has just got a million things in their head.”

Technology has become a major part of player development across the NHL. The Blackhawks use an internal app to share video, tips and other information with their current players and the prospects in their system. Davidson described the Blackhawks as “actively investigating” how it can use artificial intelligence within the organization.

“We’re working on that,” Waddell said. “We’ve actually brought it in this year to our prospects and add some AI tests and so forth to find out. But I don’t think it’s any secret. Other teams are doing it, too. But I think with AI coming and with your analytics department … the two could be tied together where it may help in certain areas.”

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WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NCAA MOVES 2028 WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR TO LUCAS OIL STADIUM TO INCREASE CAPACITY

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA has decided to hold the 2028 Women’s Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis instead of the arena where the Pacers and Fever play their games.

The change announced Tuesday by the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee means the event will gain approximately 13,000 seats. The plan is to play at around half of the capacity of the cavernous Colts stadium that holds 70,000 people for football games.

“Moving the 2028 Women’s Final Four to Lucas Oil Stadium will allow for more access for our fans, and it represents the continued growth of the sport,” Milwaukee athletic director and committee chair Amanda Braun said. “With the interest we have seen, holding the Women’s Final Four in a larger venue in Indianapolis is a natural next step.”

The committee also voted to keep the preliminary round format of schools hosting first- and second-round games before two regional sites for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. The NCAA said 85% of athletic directors, coaches and conference officials surveyed on the topic preferred to keep that setup of 16 nonpredetermined campus sites for the opening rounds.

“We reviewed alternatives to the First Four, first- and second-round format and the regional format, and the data supports keeping our current model,” Braun said. “This will continue to be a point of discussion for the committee as we look to serve tournament participants and fans in the best possible way.”

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+++TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++

COLTS FOOTBALL

COLTS RELEASE UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART FOR WEEK 5 GAME VS. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

OFFENSE

• WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Ashton Dulin
• LT: Bernhard Raimann, Luke Tenuta
• LG: Quenton Nelson
• C: Tanor Bortolini, Danny Pinter
• RG: Matt Goncalves, Dalton Tucker
• RT: Braden Smith, Jalen Travis
• TE: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
• WR: Josh Downs, Anthony Gould
• WR: Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell
• QB: Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard
• RB: Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Goodson OR DJ Giddens
• Warren scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday and had five receptions for 70 yards.
• Pittman recorded his third touchdown of the season against the Rams.
• Jones completed 24-of-33 passes with one touchdown and two interceptionson Sunday.

DEFENSE

• DE: Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, JT Tuimoloau
• DT: DeForest Buckner, Neville Gallimore, Adetomiwa Adebawore
• NT: Grover Stewart, Eric Johnson II
• DE: Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam
• WLB: Joe Bachie, Segun Olubi, Buddy Johnson
• MLB: Zaire Franklin, Chad Muma, Austin Ajiake
• CB: Charvarius Ward Sr. Johnathan Edwards
• FS: Camryn Bynum, Rodney Thomas II
• SS: Nick Cross, Daniel Scott
• N: Kenny Moore II, Mekhi Blackmon
• CB: Xavien Howard
• Cross led the team with 14 total tackles against the Rams. He also was credited with a sack, his second of the season.
• Latu notched his first sack of the season on Sunday.

SPECIALISTS

• P: Rigoberto Sanchez
• PK: Spencer Shrader
• H: Rigoberto Sanchez
• LS: Luke Rhodes
• KR: Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
• PR: Anthony Gould, Josh Downs
• Shrader connected on a career-long 52-yard field goal against the Rams.

COLTS SIGN LB BUDDY JOHNSON TO 53-MAN ROSTER FROM DALLAS COWBOYS PRACTICE SQUAD, WAVE LB CAMERON MCGRONE

Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts today signed linebacker Buddy Johnson off of the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and waived linebacker Cameron McGrone.

Johnson, 6-2, 240 pounds, has played in 21 career games in his time with the Cowboys (2023-25), Chicago Bears (2023), Houston Texans (2022), San Francisco 49ers (2022) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2021-22). He has compiled two solo tackles and 12 special teams stops. Johnson has also appeared in one postseason contest. He was originally selected by the Steelers in the fourth round (140th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. In 2025, Johnson spent time on Dallas’ active roster and practice squad. He saw action in one game.

McGrone, 6-1, 236 pounds, was originally signed by Indianapolis off of the New England Patriots practice squad on December 20, 2022. He has played in 26 career games in his time with the Colts (2022-25) and Patriots (2021-22). McGrone has registered four tackles (three solo) and nine special teams stops. In 2025, he saw action in all four games and registered one solo tackle and one special teams stop.

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INDIANA FEVER

FEVER STRONG IN GAME 5 LOSS, ALREADY LOOKING AHEAD

The Indiana Fever wanted it badly. Natasha Howard was diving on the ground early, putting her body on the line as she took a finger to the eye after a steal. Odyssey Sims went on a personal seven-point run in the second quarter.

And Kelsey Mitchell gave her all – she poured every bit of herself out for the Fever, all the way until an injury forced her out in the third quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

The Fever had every reason to be bitter, to feel unlucky, to give up on a season that opened with such lofty expectations. Instead, they entered the semifinals down six players to injury and took the second overall seed to a fifth and final game.

Indiana has been the epitome of strength and all of its various monikers. The Fever were resilient, they persevered, they endured. Indiana turned heads when it stayed afloat through adversity and shocked the league when it found success within it. The Fever fought to earn a playoff spot. They battled to win a first round series on the road. And they dug in to take the 2023 champions to five games.

“They’re a great example to everybody of what it means to just put one foot in front of the other,” coach Stephanie White said. “To persevere, to welcome people into the fold, to not give in to circumstance, to lead with grace and dignity, to sacrifice for a greater good and a common good. I’m just so thankful to coach these women, and I’m just thankful for this experience with them.”

Mitchell has missed just five games in her eight WNBA seasons. She’s tough as nails, and unconditionally committed to her teammates. When she went down with an injury during the third quarter, White told her team to rally for Mitchell.

So the Fever did.

They trailed by as many as eight points early in the fourth quarter, but Sims stepped up to bring the Fever offense a burst down the stretch. She notched 10 points in the final period, including a drive to the paint that sent the game into overtime.

“We never backed down,” Sims said. “Every game coach pulled out the best in us. She kept pushing us…Coach kept telling us we have more to give, we have more to give. So I’m super proud just to be a part of this group.

“We came a long way, we did. We beat the odds. We weren’t even supposed to be here, and for us to be here, we finished out strong. It wasn’t the outcome we wanted but we’ve still got to hold our heads high.”

Indiana would fall in the extra period, 107-98, but not without dignity or pride for the remarkable season constructed from the ashes of its expectations. Players raved about one another, about the support of the coaching staff, and about the camaraderie between teammates.

“This has been my best year,” third-year center Aliyah Boston said. “Seriously, I think with the people that we have in the locker room, the amount of fun that I had on the court, off the court, in the locker room, we just talked about how special this group was, and how we’re always going to be connected. And honestly, that’s how I feel. Like, these women became my sisters so quickly. And it was honestly just some of the best basketball I’ve had.”

Lexie Hull mentioned one of Indiana’s motivations earlier on Tuesday – they just didn’t want to stop playing together. They didn’t want the ride to end, but the Aces overpowered a Fever squad devastated by injuries to clinch the remaining WNBA Finals berth.

The lingering sting of defeat lives in the mind of a competitor for an immeasurable amount of time. It’s the motivation to return better, to train harder, to earn another chance at the elusive accomplishment that is a WNBA title. That pain, while still fresh in the minds of the Indiana Fever as they close their season with a loss to the Las Vegas Aces, motivates them to return stronger.

“You can’t hold on to it,” Boston said. “I mean, you just look at it, and obviously we’re going to be watching the championship games, and that’s going to be the feeling, that we want to be in that next year. And that’s going to be the mindset, [we’re] already prepping.”

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INDIANA PACERS

WELL-CONDITIONED PACERS FEELING CONFIDENT AS TRAINING CAMP OPENS

After a much shorter than usual offseason, the Pacers officially returned to the Ascension St. Vincent Center practice facility on Tuesday, opening training camp for the 2025-26 season.

A little over three months after competing in the NBA Finals, the Blue & Gold are gearing up for a new campaign. Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury and Myles Turner’s departure in free agency will significantly impact a number of player’s roles this season, but in large part the Pacers return largely the same roster from last year’s playoff run.

There is usually an early emphasis on conditioning at the start of training camp, but this year’s group came prepared. The Pacers have carved out a unique identity as arguably the fastest and hardest-playing team in the league, pushing the pace on offense and picking up all 94 feet on defense.

But the Pacers came prepared for day one of training camp, ready to hit the ground running…literally.

“We ran up and down a lot today,” starting forward Aaron Nesmith said. “But we emphasize conditioning so much that I think most of us, our summers had a lot of running in it. So even today, I don’t think guys were necessarily too gassed. I think we were pretty prepared.”

The Pacers remain confident in their ability to remain competitive this season.

With Haliburton sidelined, Andrew Nembhard will slide from the starting shooting guard to the lead point guard role. Fellow fourth-year guard Bennedict Mathurin is now set to start at shooting guard, while young wings like Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and Johnny Furphy will have an opportunity for increased minutes.

In Turner’s absence, the Pacers are going to deploy more of a center-by-committee approach. Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman are both back after rehabbing from Achilles tears suffered early last season, Tony Bradley returns after playing a reserve role in last year’s Finals run, and the Pacers acquired Jay Huff, a 7-footer capable of stretching the floor, in an offseason trade with Memphis.

Nationally, there isn’t much attention on the Pacers. But that’s exactly how they prefer it.

“A lot of people don’t believe we can do too much this year,” Nesmith said Tuesday. “So for us to live in that space is pretty nice. We’ve been living in that space for the last four years. I don’t think there’s any real pressure on us. I think we’re just going to go out there, play our game, and start better than a lot of people think we will.”

Healthy Wiseman Ready to Compete

Wiseman turned heads in training camp last fall only to tear his Achilles one minute into his Pacers debut on Oct. 23.

He then embarked on a grueling rehab, one that head coach Rick Carlisle called “aggressive.” Wiseman remained in Indianapolis and worked with the Pacers training staff throughout the process, with the team allowing him to continue to work out at the practice facility even after he was traded and subsequently waived to free up a roster spot in February.

He made enough progress by this summer to convince the front office to bring him back on another deal and figures to factor heavily into the center competition in training camp.

Carlisle raved about the shape Wiseman was in on Tuesday, saying he kept up with many of the fastest guards and wings in a preseason conditioning test last week.

The second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Wiseman just turned 24 in March and the Pacers remain high on his potential and fit in their system.

“He’s still a great prospect,” Carlisle said. “He’s had an up-and-down five years with injuries…We love him as a person. We love his size, his body type, athleticism. He rebounds the ball really well. And for a guy that size, he’s an amazing runner.”

For Wiseman, Tuesday was an important milestone in his rehab process. He put on a uniform on Monday for Media Day for the first time in nearly a year and then was back in an official practice on Tuesday. In exactly one week, the Pacers play their first preseason game.

“It’s all just mental,” Wiseman said of the challenges of coming back from an Achilles tear. “You’re going to have days where it’s going to be good, there’s going to be bad days. But having that resilience, having that integrity to push through every days, those 10 months I just kept my integrity, kept my character intact and worked hard every day.”

Late Addition Wright Provides Depth, Experience at Point Guard

This time last week, Delon Wright wasn’t on an NBA roster. The 10-year veteran was at home, spending his free time golfing and staying in shape for when the next opportunity presented itself.

He got a phone call on Thursday saying that the Pacers wanted to sign him and bring him in for training camp. He hopped on a flight to Indianapolis on Friday morning and quickly got settled. Wright said he was able to get in a couple workouts ahead of the first practice on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old is entering his 11th season with his 11th NBA team and brings a veteran presence (548 career games) that can provide insurance at the point guard position behind Nembhard and T.J. McConnell. He isn’t guaranteed a roster spot, but has the opportunity to compete in camp for the 15th and final spot on the roster.

“This is fairly new for me,” Wright said of competing for a roster spot. “But I’ve been around the league 11 years now, so they know what I do. They brought me here for a reason. If I am on the team, good. If not, I know I’ll give it my all. A lot of it is out of my control. I just can control what I can control, which is playing the right way, being a leader on defense and offensively.”

Wright previously played for Carlisle in Dallas during the 2019-20 season so he knows what the future Hall of Fame coach expects from his point guards. He was teammates with Pascal Siakam for three seasons in Toronto and also played alongside Huff and Quenton Jackson in Washington.

Wright played for the Bucks and Knicks last season and competed against the Pacers for New York in the Eastern Conference Finals. He walked away impressed with the Pacers’ relentless style of play and is excited to now join them.

“The never quitting mentality, that’s something that I thrive on,” Wright said. “Everybody gets an opportunity here. That’s something that a type of player like me that doesn’t get all the praise – I know that if I am on this team that I will get an opportunity at some point and a significant role.”

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INDY ELEVEN

SCHAEFER REPEATS ON USLC “TEAM OF THE WEEK”

Indy Eleven defender Brian Schaefer is a repeat selection on the USL Championship “Team of the Week” after helping the Boys in Blue move into a playoff position with a 2-1 victory over Western Conference leader FC Tulsa last Saturday. Schaefer is the third Indy Eleven player to repeat on the TOTW this season, joining Maalique Foster (4/1, 4/8) and Elvis Amoh (4/29, 5/6).

The 6’3 Schaefer scored his first Boys in Blue goal in the eighth minute vs. Tulsa off midfielder James Murphy‘s in-swinging free kick from inside the left sideline, heading it into the right corner of the net. In the match, Schaefer tied for a team-best three blocks, adding three aerial duels won, and three recoveries.

Schaefer earned his first TOTW selection last week after recording his first career assist in a 2-1 home win over Birmingham Legion FC on September 21. In that match, Schaefer started the game-tying goal sequence from midfield with a long ball to the edge of the area off a free kick in the 54th minute. Six minutes later, he went high for a header to flick it to Ben Ofeimu, who volleyed it home for the game winner. Schaefer won all 10 of his duels and he recorded 10 clearances, a team-best seven recoveries, 3 of 4 tackles, and two interceptions.

It has been an impressive first month with Indy Eleven for the 23-year-old Schaefer. The Atlantic Beach, Florida, native was loaned from FC Cincinnati 2 to the Boys in Blue on September 3. He made his USL Championship debut that night at Hartford Athletic, helping his new team to a 2-0 road win with two aerial duels and a tackle.

The 2024 MLS SuperDraft first-round selection was inserted into the Indy Eleven starting lineup on September 6 at Charleston Battery and he has started the past four matches, helping the Boys in Blue hold opponents to 1.0 goals per game in five outings this month.

Indy Eleven takes its two-game winning streak to Eastern Conference leader Louisville City FC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on WNDY 23 and CBS Sports Golazo Network. The Boys in Blue are in a playoff position one point ahead of Rhode Island FC with four games left in the regular season.

Indy Eleven has its final regular season home game with Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at Carroll Stadium vs. Loudoun United FC.

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INDIANA VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL CENTRAL: USC AND UCLA

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A grueling five-game stretch away from Wilkinson Hall begins this weekend as the Indiana volleyball team (11-1, 2-0 B1G) heads to California for its west coast swing. The Hoosiers will play USC on Friday (Oct. 3, 10 p.m. ET) and UCLA on Saturday (Oct. 4, 10 p.m. ET) to begin the month of October.

It will be a homecoming for a large portion of IU’s roster. Four different players, including senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum, were raised in California. Associate coach Rachel Morris is also a native of Manhattan Beach while head coach Steve Aird and assistant coach Kevin Hodge spent multiple years living in The Golden State.

Much of IU’s early success this season can be contributed to a well-balanced offense. All three of IU’s primary pin attackers are averaging between 3.46 and 3.66 kills per set. On top of that, sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema is providing 1.87 kills per set for a fourth threat for the Hoosiers. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković is offering up 11.05 assists per set.

The Hoosiers will be tested heavily over the next two weeks as they play four-straight road games against stiff competition. At this point in the year, IU has already matched its road win total from last season (3). Any win from here on out will only surpass that mark further.

Both matches this weekend will be broadcasted on B1G+ at 10 p.m. ET. IU will arrive in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon and will have a whole day to adjust to the change in time zone. The Hoosiers will get two cracks at ranked opponents and will look for their eighth all-time road victory over a ranked program.

Gameday Info

at #17 USC (Friday, October 3rd – 10 p.m. ET)

Live Video: bit.ly/46CxxYs

Live Stats: bit.ly/42Ui1G9

at #24 UCLA (Saturday, October 4th – 10 p.m. ET)

Live Video: bit.ly/4nRhBbA

Live Stats: bit.ly/42Ui1G9

Stat and Trends

• The Hoosiers have learned to score in different ways this year – adding to their offensive prowess. IU is the only Big Ten school to average at least 2.75 blocks per set (2.78) and 1.75 aces per set (1.78). On top of that, head coach Steve Aird’s group is one of four conference teams still hitting above .300 on the season.

• Senior opposite Avry Tatum continues her chase towards 1,000 career kills. She’s got 934 over four years of college volleyball and needs just 66 more to reach the milestone. If she provides around 10 per match for the Hoosiers, it’s likely she hits the mark by the home contest with Ohio State (Oct. 19).

• Underclassmen have led the charge for the Hoosiers this year. A freshman or sophomore is leading IU in assists, digs, aces and blocks. The upperclassmen, led by senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles and senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum have led the charge in kills and hitting percentage.

Notable

CALIFORNIA KIDS: The Hoosiers have four players from the state of California on their roster in 2025. As well, associate head coach Rachel Morris is from Manhattan Beach. IU will have quite the crowd of family and friends to support the senior opposite Avry Tatum, freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager, sophomore setter Sade Ilawole and graduate student outside hitter Jessica Smith.

CANDE LOVES THE B1G: No one has been better in conference play over the last few years than senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles. The Madrid native has had double-digit kills in 39 of her 62 career conference matches. Dating back to last year, she’s had at least 10 kills in 11 of the last 13 league contests. On Saturday, she moved into 16th in program history in career kills (1,134).

HOT START: IU is off to its first 2-0 start in Big Ten play since 2003. On top of that, the Hoosiers already have 11 wins on the year. Last year it took the program until November 1st to earn its 11th win of the season. Head coach Steve Aird is looking for the team’s first postseason appearance since 2010.

THREE PINS: Entering the week, IU has perhaps the most balanced trio of established pin hitters. The Hoosiers are the only program in the conference with three players averaging at least 3.45 kills per set. All three are providing between 3.46 and 3.66 kills per set for IU’s potent attack. Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads the way with 3.66 per set.

BIG TIME BOERSEMA: Sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema is enjoying a massive breakout performance this year. In the last six games heading into the weekend, she’s averaging 2.14 kills per set and 1.29 blocks per set. She’s hitting .407 in that stretch of time as well. The Indiana native has had eight-or-more kills on four occasions this year.

JAGER IS A GAMER: Freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has stepped up under the bright lights of conference play. She averaged 4.14 kills per set in two victories last week. More impressive was the end of each match. In the last two sets of each win, she went for 11 (Northwestern) and nine (Washington) kills respectively. She’s gone for at least 10 kills in nine of IU’s 12 contests this year.

FLIP THE SCRIPT: IU is 0-5 on the west coast over the last two seasons and will try to fix that quickly to pick up an important win out in California. The Hoosiers went 0-3 in Long Beach two seasons ago and 0-2 in the Pacific Northwest in 2024. The last win in the state of California came in 2016. IU won just two road games last season in the Big Ten and is looking to reach that mark by the second weekend in 2025.

JESS COMES HOME: Graduate student outside hitter Jessica Smith gets the chance to come home this weekend. The former UCLA beach volleyball player, and the 2022 Pac-12 Beach Volleyball Freshman of the Year, played four seasons in Westwood. She’s averaging 1.71 digs per set as a defensive specialist in the last five matches.

Scouting the Opponent

USC (10-2, 1-1 B1G)

• Head coach Brad Keller and the Trojans have gotten off to a great start this year. Their only losses of the year were to top-20 foes BYU and Penn State. At home, USC is 7-0 with impressive wins over LSU, San Diego and Creighton.

• Much like the Hoosiers, USC also features a lethal collection of freshman talent. Setter Reese Messer is averaging 10.20 assists per set and leading the team to a .250 hitting percentage. Opposite Abigail Mullen is leading the team with 3.16 kills per set.

• A staple of USC’s program has been a dominant block. The Trojans are averaging 2.96 blocks per set. Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Leah Ford was an All-Big Ten selection last year and has provided 47 rejections this season. Five different players have at least 34 blocks.

UCLA (8-4, 2-0 B1G)

• The Bruins are coming off their best win of the season after beating Penn State in four sets last Sunday in Happy Valley. UCLA has won seven of its last eight matches heading into the weekend. Before it plays IU, UCLA will have to deal with a talented Purdue side on Thursday.

• Senior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette and freshman outside hitter Eliana Urzua have been leading the offense this season. The two are combining for almost six kills per set. Leverette, the reigning Honorable Mention All-American, paces the Bruins with 3.48 kills per set.

• Former Wisconsin libero, and Indiana native, Lola Schumacher leads the defensive charge with 4.25 digs per set. The Bruins are holding their opponents to just a .190 hitting percentage. Offensively, UCLA is hitting at an improving .230 clip.

Inside the Series

USC

• Of the four west coast Big Ten programs, no team’s history against Indiana dates back further than USC’s. The two sides first met in 1998. The most notable matchup was IU’s only regional semifinal appearance in program history – a straight-set defeat to USC in 2010.

• In its time in the Big Ten, USC owns a 1-0 advantage over IU. The Trojans managed to finish out a pair of close sets to come away with a victory in Bloomington last season. IU is looking for its first win in the series.

UCLA

• Much like its series with Washington, IU’s all-time tangles with UCLA have both come in the past two years. The sides played a tight matchup in Long Beach in 2023 before the Hoosiers got on the board with a sweep in Bloomington last season.

• The two will now head to Pauley Pavilion to play the first meeting on UCLA’s home court in the series. Last year’s win over the Bruins was the first all-time against any of the new west coast programs.

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INDIANA MEN’S GOLF

HOOSIERS SHOOT 12-UNDER AT WINDON MEMORIAL CLASSIC

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Indiana men’s golf team finished ninth with a three-round total of 852 (275-286-291; -12) at the Windon Memorial Classic played on Sept. 29-30 at the Knollwood Country Club.
 
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Windon Memorial Classic • Lake Forest, Ill.
Knollwood Country Club
Par 72 • 7,202 yards
Live Scoring via Scoreboard
Team Standings: 9th/16 – 852 (275-286-291; -12)
Top Indiana Player: Bradley Chill Jr. – 208 (70-69-69; -8)

CHIP-INS

• Sophomore Bradley Chill Jr. paced the Hoosiers with a season-low score of 208 (70-69-69; -8). The score marks the second-lowest tally of his collegiate career, narrowly missing the standard he established at the Ka’anapali Classic Collegiate (204; -9) during his freshman campaign.

• The Columbia Station, Ohio, native tied for sixth overall, his second top-10 result of the season. Chill Jr. converted 14 birdies, the 10th most in the 88-player tournament. He ranked among the top-3 players in the field in both Par-4 scoring (3.83) and Par-5 scoring (4.33).

• Junior Cole Starnes shot a 213 (69-71-73; -3) to tie for 21st overall. He converted 11 birdies, which included six in the opening round.

• Junior Nick Piesen netted seven birdies across the three rounds and finished at 218 (69-74-75; +2).

• Redshirt senior Clay Merchent played a 219 (67-73-79; +3) with 13 birdies. He carded 12-of-13 birdies on day one of the event.

• Junior Alec Cesare added nine birdies to the IU ledger and ended with a score of 220 (73-73-74; +4).

• Playing as an individual, sophomore Taneesh Sirivolu turned in a scorecard of 226 (75-72-79; +10) with three total birdies.

HOOSIERS IN THE STANDINGS

t-6. Bradley Chill Jr. – 208 (70-69-69; -8)

t-21. Cole Starnes – 213 (69-71-73; -3)

t-47. Nick Piesen – 218 (69-74-75; +2)

t-55. Clay Merchent – 219 (67-73-79; +3)

t-60. Alec Cesare – 220 (73-73-74; +4)

INDIVIDUALS IN THE STANDINGS

81. Taneesh Sirivolu – 226 (75-72-79; +10)

UP NEXT

The Hoosiers will return  competition for the Fighting Irish Classic from Oct. 6-7 at the Warren Golf Course.

________________

PURDUE MEN’S GOLF

BOILERMAKERS WRAP UP PLAY AT WINDON MEMORIAL CLASSIC

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Purdue men’s golf team wrapped up play at the Windon Memorial Classic on Tuesday, finishing 12th out of 16 teams.

Purdue finished at 3-under par 861 with rounds of 286-286-289. Illinois won at 36-under par 828, while the Boilermkers were seven shots out of 10th place (Marquette) and four shots behind USF in 11th place.

Purdue finished with 52 birdies (8th in the field), but was 14th in the field in pars made with 157, while ranking second in the field with 57 bogeys.

Andre Zhu and Kentaro Nanayama finished tied for 30th at 2-under par 214. Zhu tallied rounds of 70-73-71, while Nanayama had rounds of 75-68-71.

Supapon Amornchaichan was tied for 42nd at 1-over par 217 (71-71-75). Sam Easterbrook finished tied for 64th at 5-over par 221 (70-78-73) while Will Harvey was tied for 70th at 7-over par 223 (75-74-74).

Purdue will play in the Fighting Irish Classic next Monday and Tuesday at Warren Golf Course in South Bend, Indiana.

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PURDUE WOMEN’S GOLF

PURDUE MOVES UP LEADERBOARD IN FINAL ROUND

GOLF, Ill. – Samantha Brown and Ashley Kim fired under-par rounds of 71 (-1) to pace Purdue Women’s Golf in the final round of the Windy City Collegiate Classic at Glen View Club. In an extremely talented field, the Boilermakers (+10) carded a 2-over 290 on Tuesday to leapfrog Big Ten foe Illinois (+12) and finish eighth on the leaderboard.

Returning to the lineup, Brown led the Boilermakers with an even-par 216 (69-76-71) to tie her career-low 54-hole total. The sophomore took advantage of the par 5s throughout the tournament, playing the lengthy holes 6-under to rank fourth in the field in par-5 scoring. She birdied every par 5 in the final round, including a pair that was part of four straight birdies to end her day. With birdies on holes six through nine, Brown flipped her round into red figures to finish 1-under, get back to even for 54 holes and tie for 18th. It was her second under-par round of the event following a 69 (-3) in the first round that was highlighted by her third career hole-in-one.

Kim’s 71 featured four birdies as she moved into the Top 25 of the individual leaderboard. After a bogey at the 11th, her second hole of the day, the junior got the stroke back with a birdie on No. 12. She added back-to-back birdies on No. 17 and No. 18 to card an opening 34 (-2) before making the turn. Five straight pars followed, and a birdie at the sixth pushed her to 3-under on the day. Consecutive bogeys tried to prevent Kim from recording her best round of the tournament, but she stayed 1-under with a par on the final hole.

Luana Valero (+5) and Lauren Timpf (+6) placed 35th and 40th, respectively. Timpf’s final round 73 (+1) was her lowest of the event, while Valero added a 75 (+3). Fellow freshman Ida Lindqvist shot a 75 (+3) of her own on Tuesday, tying for 50th at 9-over for the best tournament total and leaderboard finish in her collegiate career. Lindqvist found success on the par 3s, ranking second in the field in par-3 scoring (-2). During the final round, she birdied three of the four par 3s.

Duke and defending national champion Northwestern tied for the team title (-13), as the Blue Devils recorded the lowest final round of the day, a 7-under 281.

After playing in four tournaments during the month of September, Purdue takes a multiple-week break before returning to competition. The Boilermakers conclude the fall by going to Chapel Hill, North Carolina for the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational (Oct. 17-19).

BOILERMAKERS

T-18. Samantha Brown: 69-76-71—216 (E)

T-25. Ashley Kim: 72-75-71—218 (+2)

T-35. Luana Valero: 72-74-75—221 (+5)

T-40. Lauren Timpf: 74-75-73—222 (+6)

T-50. Ida Lindqvist: 71-79-75—225 (+9)

*T-59. Ella Weber: 74-82-76—232 (+16)

*Competing as an individual

TEAM LEADERBOARD

T-1. Duke: 283-287-281—851 (-13)

T-1. Northwestern: 278-285-288—851 (-13)

3. SMU: 282-283-293—858 (-6)

T-4. UCLA: 288-285-286—859 (-5)

T-4. Iowa State: 293-281-285—859 (-5)

T-4. Michigan State: 288-281-290—859 (-5)

7. Virginia: 290-287-288—865 (+1)

8. Purdue: 284-300-290—874 (+10)

9. Illinois: 289-287-300—876 (+12)

10. Columbia: 298-303-286—887 (+23)

11. Augusta: 307-297-299—903 (+39)

__________________

NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER

#23 IRISH DEFEAT HOPE, 3-2

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Fighting Irish men’s soccer team recorded a 3-2 victory over Hope College on Tuesday evening at Alumni Stadium to improve to 6-2-2 on the season.

All three Notre Dame goals were scored by the freshman trio of Alex Rosin, Luke Burton and Ren Sylvester.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Irish opened the scoring in the 10th minute courtesy of Rosin. Sylvester fired a shot from close range at the near post that was saved and Rosin calmly slotted the rebound in to put Notre Dame on top 1-0 with the first goal of his career.

Seven minutes later the visitors leveled the score off a goal from Jackson Mindling to make the score 1-1.

Notre Dame controlled the flow of the match for the remainder of the half and all the pressure paid off in the 42nd minute off a corner. Mitch Ferguson’s service was nodded in by Burton at the back post to give the Irish a 2-1 lead at the halftime break.

The Irish nearly doubled their lead in the opening minutes of the second half, as an effort from Wyatt Borso went off the bar.

Then in the 60th minute the Flying Dutchmen capitalized on a long throw-in and scored against the run of play to once again draw even at 2-2.

Notre Dame poured forward in waves searching for the winner and managed to break the deadlock in the 83rd minute. Ian Shaul’s cross connected with Sylvester, who made no mistake with the finish to deliver the Irish the 3-2 victory.

McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE

On the match…

“Overall I’m pleased with the result. I think we got rattled when Hope tied it up a couple of times but the team’s response was good. We showed composure and created some really good chances and we finally got one to go in. Then I thought we looked composed to finish off the game.

“Credit to Hope, I think they are an excellent team and a really well-coached team. They were very committed and really impressive tonight.”

On the freshmen scoring all three goals…

“They have been playing and it doesn’t surprise me that they got on the scoresheet. They have great mentalities,  great quality and great work ethics.”

UP NEXT

Notre Dame has a quick turnaround, as it takes on Virginia Tech at 8:30 p.m. ET in an ACC showdown at Alumni Stadium on Friday, Oct. 3. Admission to the match is free and it will be streamed on ACCNX.

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NOTRE DAME HOCKEY

HOCKEY TO OPEN NEW ERA AGAINST USNTDP

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The University of Notre Dame Hockey team kicks off the 2025-26 season with a trip up to Plymouth to take on the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in this year’s exhibition game on Friday night, October 3. The puck is set to drop at 7:05pm to face the U18 program as the two teams square off for the 12th time in program history. 

This weekend’s matchup brings in a familiar test. The Irish and USNTDP have clashed 11 times previously, with Notre Dame holding a slight 5-4-2 edge. Last season the Irish hosted the U18’s, earning themselves a 5-2 victory. Three current players obtained a goal in the contest. 

The Notre Dame/USNTDP history runs steady as a total of 57 alumni of the program have laced up their skates to play for the Irish and this year’s roster features 10. Freshman Will Belle skated with the U18s last season, with fellow freshman Charlie Pardue spending time with the program as well from 2022-24. Sophomore Nicholas Kempf, juniors Brennan Ali, Maddox Fleming, Cole Knuble, Paul Fischer, Danny Nelson, Carter Slaggert, and graduate forward Sutter Muzzatti are all alums of the development program as well. 

The Irish head into the season under new direction in first-time Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach Brock Sheahan with 16 returnees and 10 fresh faces, including three transfers.  The team welcomes a rookie class of seven featuring three nationalities and, for the first time in program history, alumni of the Ontario Hockey League following the NCAA’s ruling to allow Canadian Hockey league players into college hockey. 

In Notre Dame’s current lineup, the NHL credentials run deep. Eight players have heard their name called on draft day, including the most recent selection of Belle by the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking the 99th individual in program history to be drafted. Other notable draft picks include Ali, D. Nelson, Knuble, Fischer, Muzzati, Cole Brown, and Kempf. 

This season, fans can view line charts for home games online at fightingirish.com/HKYLineCharts. Lines will be posted online approximately 90 minutes before puck drop (timing subject to change).

SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: USNTDP U18 Team
Location: Plymouth, Mich. | USA Hockey Arena
Schedule: Fri. 7:05pm
TV: usahockeytv.com
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame | USNTDP

__________________

BUTLER ATHLETICS

LEIENDECKER AND BUTLER ATHLETICS ANNOUNCE UPDATED LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE TO ALIGN WITH DEPARTMENT’S KEY PRIORITIES

Butler Vice President and Director of Athletics Grant Leiendecker has announced an updated leadership structure for the department, allowing Butler Athletics to better align with its priorities of enhancing the student-athlete experience, growing resources, elevating its competitive profile, and deepening the way Butler connects with our alumni, fans, and community.

The Executive Leadership Team will now include three Deputy Athletic Directors. Mike Freeman has been promoted to Deputy AD for Revenue and Engagement and Molly Sullivan has been promoted to the role of Deputy AD for Administration/Senior Woman Administrator. Alex Perry will return to Butler as Deputy AD for Finance & Operations.

“After more than a year in my role, I now have a better sense for the optimal structure of our leadership team to best support our pursuit of excellence in today’s college athletics landscape,” said Leiendecker. “These changes are all about putting us in the best position to support our student-athletes, coaches, and one another while driving Butler Athletics toward even greater success in the BIG EAST and Pioneer Football League. Importantly, this structure also allows me to sharpen my focus in the areas where I can make the greatest impact on the organization: advancing our strategy, strengthening our culture, aiding our fundraising efforts, and building external relationships that elevate Butler Athletics.”

In conjunction with the leadership structure updates, John Dedman has been promoted to Senior Associate AD for Strategic Communications and Lee Dicklitch will now serve as Associate AD for Capital Project & Event Management, shifting his focus to capital project management, enhancing customer service efforts, and attracting outside events to Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Freeman joined the Butler Athletics staff in 2006 and has most recently served as Sr. Associate AD for External Operations since 2017.  He will broaden his focus to all areas of revenue generation (with the exception of development) and fan engagement. Freeman will also add oversight of the Strategic Communications team, which Dedman will continue to lead.

Sullivan has been part of the Butler staff since 2013 and was most recently promoted to the role of Sr. Associate AD for Administration/SWA at Butler in 2024. Sullivan’s role will also expand to include oversight of the Academic Services team, which will continue to be led by Associate AD Sonya Hopkins.

Perry returns to the Butler staff in the role of Deputy AD for Finance & Operations. He will oversee business operations and strategy, team travel, equipment, contracts, and other operational functions. Perry will also have primary sport oversight of Butler’s Football and Baseball programs. Perry previously was part of the Butler team for nearly a decade before departing in 2022 for leadership roles at Ball State and Michigan State. His first day at Butler will be Oct. 13. Perry will have oversight of Butler’s events and facilities team, which will continue to be led by Dicklitch.

While the organizational structure creates the Executive Leadership Team, Perry will also join Leiendecker’s Senior Staff, which already includes Freeman, Sullivan, Dedman, Hopkins, Dicklitch, Sr. Associate AD for Development J Locklier, and Associate AD for Student-Athlete Health, Performance and Well-Being Chad Gabbard.

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BUTLER MEN’S GOLF

SUTTO’S PROGRAM-RECORD 64 POWERS BULLDOGS AT THE VIRTUES INTERCOLLEGIATE

Logan Sutto tied a Butler program record with an eight-under 64 in Tuesday’s final round of the 2025 Virtues Intercollegiate. His final round vaulted him into second place individually and helped the Bulldogs capture the team title.

Sutto eagled the par-5, 557-yard seventh hole for the second consecutive day. He added six birdies to that eagle in posting the 64 on the 7,243-yard Virtues Golf Course in Nashport, Ohio. Entering the final round tied for 12th, Sutto moved into a tie for second on the final leaderboard at nine-under 207.

Sutto’s 64 matched the program record for a par-72 course previously held exclusively by Damon Dickey. On March 10, 2023, Dickey shot a 64 at the Sacred Heart Spring Invitational on the 6,959-yard LPGA International Jones Course in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Notre Dame’s Pavel Tsar won medalist honors at 203 (-13) behind back-to-back rounds of 66 on Monday. Sutto tied for second with Notre Dame’s Mike Qiu.

With Notre Dame’s quintet being designated as their “B” team, Butler claimed the team title at nine-under 855. The Bulldogs, behind Sutto’s record-setting day, posted the best Tuesday round at 281 (-7), which was five shots better than any other team in the field. For the 54-hole tournament, Butler finished six shots ahead of Loyola Chicago.

Derek Tabor, who earned BIG EAST Men’s Golfer of the Week honors last week, continued his hot play. He finished in a tie for fifth at five-under 211. Tabor birdied six of his first eight holes Monday morning on his way to an opening-round 68. Butler freshman Marius Reiersen tied for seventh, one shot back of Tabor. His classmate Ethan Blomme, playing as an individual, tied for 12th at even-par 216.

THE BUTLER MEN:

2) Logan Sutto, 71-72-64—207 (-9)

T5) Derek Tabor, 68-70-73—211 (-5)

T7) Marius Reiersen, 69-72-71—212 (-4)

T12) Ethan Blomme (playing as an individual), 78-67-71—216 (E)

T47) Leo Zurovac, 75-79-73—227 (+11)

T52) Will Horne, 76-77-75—228 (+12)

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs take a break before returning to competition Oct. 13-14 at the Purdue Fall Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind.

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BUTLER WOMEN’S GOLF

BULLDOGS PLACE THIRD AFTER HOSTING BUTLER FALL INVITATIONAL

The Butler women were able to hold onto third place as they wrapped up hosting their Fall Invitational at their home Highland Country Club course.

The 54-event over the last two days marked the only home event on the 2025-26 schedule for the Bulldogs.

After rounds of 290 and 291 Monday, the Bulldogs surrendered one spot on the team leaderboard after a Tuesday 307. Marian won the team title at 869 (+29); Akron placed second (875), one spot ahead of Butler (888; +48). There were 14 teams in the field. 

Freshman Addi Kooi and junior Ashley Freitas led the Butler effort, tying for seventh at nine-over 219. Kooi shot a three-over 73 to post the best Tuesday score among the Bulldogs. Freitas, playing as an individual, relied on a pair of one-over 71 rounds Monday on the 6,040-yard Highland course.

Dayton’s Kylee Heidemann, who held a six-shot lead after Monday’s 36 holes, found herself in a playoff with Akron’s Maisarah Hezri Tuesday afternoon. Both players finished the 54th hole at one-over 211. Heidemann used a birdie on the fourth playoff hole (No. 18) to win the playoff.

THE BUTLER WOMEN:

T7) Ashley Freitas (playing as an individual), 71-71-77—219 (+9)

T7) Addi Kooi, 76-70-73—219 (+9)

T15) Treva Dodd, 73-74-75—222 (+12)

T25) Sophie McGinnis, 72-74-79—225 (+15)

T35) Kelli Scheck, 76-73-80—229 (+19)

T44) Cybil Stillson, 69-77-84—230 (+20)

T47) Samantha Von Rohr (playing as an individual), 74-79-78—231 (+21)

T52) Maddie Diedrich (playing as an individual), 77-76-79—232 (+22)

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs head to Bartonville, Ill., for the Bradley Coyote Creek Classic. The event marks the Bulldogs’ fourth event of the fall and continues a stretch of five tournaments over six weeks.

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BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER

PREVIEW: BUTLER HITS THE ROAD TO FACE TWO RANKED OPPONENTS

The Butler women’s soccer team will travel to No. 21 Georgetown and No. 24 Xavier this week in an important week in terms of qualifying for the postseason BIG EAST Tournament.
 
The Bulldogs (4-1-5, 1-0-2 BIG EAST) are coming off a draw with DePaul and a win over Providence.
 
Butler at No. 21 Georgetown
DATE/TIME:    Wednesday, October 1 / 7PM
LOCATION:     Washington, D.C. / Shaw Field
LIVE VIDEO:    ESPN+
LIVE STATS:   gohoyas.com//sidearmstats

Georgetown has wins this season that include: UConn, Seton Hall, Creighton, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech, and the Hoyas tied Virginia and Old Dominion. Losses have come to Vanderbilt and Saint Mary’s.
 
The Series: Georgetown leads the overall series, 11-1-4, though two of the last three meetings, including last season, have ended in a draw. Georgetown’s most recent win (4-2) was in 2023, and Butler’s only win (1-0, Indianapolis) was the third match of the series, in 2015.

Butler at No. 24 Xavier
DATE/TIME:    Saturday, October 4 / 6:30PM
LOCATION:     Cincinnati, Ohio / Corcoran Field
LIVE VIDEO:    goxavier.com
LIVE STATS:   butlersports.com/StatBroadcast

Xavier has wins this season that include: Villanova, DePaul, No. 17 Michigan State, and Cincinnati, and the Musketeers tied UConn and Indiana. Losses came to No. 17 Virginia and Pitt. Xavier will play Creighton on Wednesday, prior to its match with Butler.

The Series: Butler leads the overall series, 13-11-5, though Xavier won the most recent meeting, 3-0, last season in Indianapolis. In the most recent eight meetings, Xavier leads (4-1-3). Butler’s sole victory in the past eight meetings (4-0) was in the spring of 2021. Butler won five-straight matches from 2012-2016.

Bulldog Bits

                 through games 9/28/25

Talia Sommer ranks third in the BIG EAST (46th nationally) with 16 points. She ranks second (20th) with six assists and fifth with five goals. She is third in the conference in shots per game (3.40), shots on goal per game (1.90), and shot accuracy (0.559).

Léa Larouche is third in the BIG EAST (41st nationally) with 5 assists.

Chloe Brecht is fifth in the BIG EAST (90th nationally) with 4 assists.

After their performances vs. DePaul and Providence, Lucia Englund was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, and Alyssa Carlson was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week. Léa Larouche also received recognition on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.

        vs. DePaul

Alyssa Carlson’s goal was her second this season.

The assist from Léa Larouche was her second this season and the fourth of her career.

Emily O’Malley’s assist was her third this season and the eighth of her career.

Ceilidh Whynott and Daphne Murray made their first starts at Butler.

        vs. Providence

Alyssa Carlson’s goal was her third this season.

Lucia Englund’s goal was her first this season and the third of her career. Her assist was her first this season and the fourth of her career.

Talia Sommer’s goal was her fifth this season and the 27th of her career. Her assist was her sixth this season and the 23rd of her career.

Léa Larouche had three assists in the match. She now has five this season and seven in her career.

Chloe Brecht’s assist was her fourth this season.

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IU INDY MEN’S SOCCER

IU INDY MEN’S SOCCER SET TO TRAVEL TO ROBERT MORRIS

INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy men’s soccer team (4-3-3, 1-1-1 HL) will be on the road for the second week, heading to Moon Township, PA, to face off against Robert Morris at 3:00 PM on Saturday (Oct. 4). This past weekend, the Jaguars had a very defensive battle against conference opponent Green Bay, resulting in a 0-0 outcome. Senior goalkeeper Cameron Maung-Maung was strong inside the net, registering four saves, and Junior Jose Antonio Herrera led the team with two shots and one shot on goal.

Through ten games, senior Youri Keijser leads the team in points with two goals and three assists, totaling seven points, and right behind Keijser with six points is sophomore Stan Klaver, who leads the team in goals with three. There are four Jags who have registered over 700 minutes of playing time. Sophomore Bali Esquivel, Herrera, Senior Brady Horn, and Maung-Maung, with Horn leading the team in minutes with 855 and Herrera behind him with 848.   

QUOTABLE

“The clean sheet and a point on the road are the positives for today, but the result is better than the performance. I thought we lacked creativity in possession and simply didn’t create enough on offense to deserve much more out of this game.” Head coach Sid van Druenen

SCOUTING ROBERT MORRIS

The Colonials are (3-1-4, 1-0-2 HL)  on the season, with all three of their wins being shutout victories and one being against a conference opponent, Detroit Mercy 4-0, and two of the goals and one assist coming from senior defender Fabian Overkamp.

Through eight games, freshman Royie Rahamim leads Robert Morris in goals with four, in shots with 16, and in shot on goal percentage with 0.625, and has one assist, totaling ten points. Behind Rahamim are three players who have a total of five points each. Sophomore Jack Bejarano, with one goal and three assists, redshirt freshman Jaxson Lee, also with one goal and three assists, and Overkamp, with two goals and one assist. Inside the net, junior Josh Lane has registered 28 saves and a save percentage of 0.778 and has allowed eight goals. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

In their four total matchups, the Jaguars are 1-3 all-time against Robert Morris, with the last match up resulting in a 3-2 loss, with both goals coming from junior Herrera.   

UP NEXT

The Jaguars will host Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday (Oct.11) at 5:00 PM inside Carroll Stadium and is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+. 

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IU INDY VOLLEYBALL

JAGUARS POWER PAST MASTODONS IN STRAIGHT SETS

INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy volleyball team put together one of its most efficient performances of the season Tuesday night, rolling past Purdue Fort Wayne in straight sets (25-17, 25-21, 25-22) in the Jungle. The Jaguars improved to 7-8 overall and 1-2 in Horizon League play with the win.

Freshman Jillian Tippmann led the way offensively with a match-high 17 kills on .407 hitting, powering IU Indy through key rallies in all three sets. Maia Long added nine kills, while Morgan Ostrowski chipped in six kills and a team-best five blocks at the net.

Setter Grace Purichia directed the Jaguars’ balanced attack with 38 assists to go along with six digs and three block assists. She also contributed offensively, tallying five kills and a service ace.

Defensively, IU Indy held the Mastodons to a .143 hitting percentage. Jordyn Pax anchored the back row with 11 digs, while Laura Roeder added nine digs and a pair of service aces to spark the Jaguars in the decisive third set.

After cruising in the opening frame 25-17 behind Tippmann’s early dominance, the Jaguars had to battle in sets two and three. A late kill from Long sealed the second set, while Purichia and Tippmann combined for clutch points down the stretch in the third to close out the sweep, 25-22.

IU Indy finished the night hitting .351 as a team, recording 49 kills to just 28 for Purdue Fort Wayne.

The Jaguars return to action this weekend as they continue Horizon League play when they welcome Milwaukee to the Jungle for back-to-back matches on Friday and Saturday.

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BALL STATE FOOTBALL

ASHLEY’S ALL-PURPOSE PRODUCTION PACES BALL STATE ENTERING MAC PLAY

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State’s Qua Ashley has emerged as one of the Mid-American Conference’s most versatile playmakers, leading the league in all-purpose yards through four games.

Ashley is averaging 128.0 all-purpose yards per game, a mark that also ranks 18th nationally. He enters the weekend as one of just five MAC players averaging over 100 yards per game, above Ohio receiver Chase Hendricks, who is fifth in the conference at 104.2.

The redshirt junior has totaled 295 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards, while also serving as the Cardinals’ leading kickoff returner with 170 yards.

The last time the Cardinals were at home, Ashley recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game in a win versus New Hampshire (Sept.13), totaling 154. He tallied 248 all-purpose yards, his highest of the season so far.

Ball State’s Oct. 4 matchup versus Ohio at Scheumann Stadium will be live on CBS Sports Network and WLBC 104.FM with a noon start time.

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INDIANA STATE FOOTBALL

SYCAMORES OPEN UP MVFC PLAY AT NO. 10/11 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State football opens Missouri Valley Football play on the road this weekend as the Sycamores travel to Carbondale, Ill. to take on No. 10/11 Southern Illinois at Saluki Stadium on Saturday, October 4. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 1055.5 The Legend.

Notes

About the Matchup

Indiana State heads to Southern Illinois for the 30th time in Sycamore football program history this Saturday making the trek to Carbondale, Ill. and Saluki Stadium for the first time since the 2023 season. The Salukis lead the series 16-13 all-time in Carbondale after snapping the Sycamores’ four-game winning streak in the 2023 season with the 38-9 win.

Southern Illinois leads the all-time series 30-29, with the series tied up at 15-15 in Terre Haute. Indiana State’s 20-17 win last season on Homecoming ended the Sycamores’ three-game losing streak at home to the Salukis.

The series is 6-4 in Indiana State’s favor over the last 10 contests dating back to the 2012 season. The Sycamores held a three-game winning streak over SIU from 2014-16, but SIU has rallied back in the series to win four of the last six games.

Last Time Against Southern Illinois

The Sycamores topped the Salukis in Terre Haute, Ind. last season with a 20-17 win during Indiana State’s Homecoming win. Indiana State rallied back from a 17-0 halftime deficit sparked by Geoffrey Brown’s third-quarter pick-six, while Lance Rees and Elijah Owens both recorded touchdowns in the win.

Owens was 13-of-17 through the air for 78 yards, but the Jacksonville, Ill. native did most of his damage on the ground with 15 carries for a game-high 119 rushing yards and a touchdown in the win. The Sycamores racked up 219 rushing yards overall in the game on their way to holding onto the ball for 34:29.

Defensively, Micah Hauser recorded a team-high 14 tackles, while Brown had 11 stops and 1.0 tackles-for-loss to go with his game-changing pick-six. Joey Shew added 2.5 sacks and 3.0 TFLs in the win.

Sycamores Opening Missouri Valley Football Play

Indiana State looks to snap a seven-game MVFC opener losing streak on Saturday night as the Sycamores head to Carbondale, Ill. The Sycamores last won their conference opener back in the 2016 season with a 34-31 win against Illinois State, while winning their last conference opener on the road in the 2015 season at Missouri State (56-28).

The Sycamores have had their moments in conference openers over the last three seasons falling at Northern Iowa in 2022, 20-14, at Murray State in 2023, 30-28, and last season at Youngstown State by a score of 21-14. Indiana State has opened conference play on the road in five of the last six seasons dating back to the 2019 season when the Sycamores opened play at South Dakota.

The last time Indiana State opened conference play against Southern Illinois came back in the 2007 season in Terre Haute. The Salukis took the 72-10 win over the Sycamores in the matchup utilizing five Indiana State turnovers in the win.

Scouting the Salukis

Southern Illinois heads into the weekend matchup as one of the hottest teams in all FCS as the Salukis climbed to No. 10/11 following the announcement of the national polls this week. SIU remains undefeated in FCS play on the year with wins over Thomas More, UT Martin, and SEMO, while falling in their lone FBS contest at Purdue.

The Salukis features one of the nation’s best offenses (40.5 ppg) and defenses (19.5 ppg), with quarterback DJ Williams and wide receiver/returner Vinson Davis III bringing a solid 1-2 punch to the Southern Illinois offense. Williams currently sits among the national leaders in rushing yards (316) and rushing touchdowns (7), while sitting ninth in the country with nine touchdown passes and 15th in passing yards per game with 247.0. Davis III is 17th in FCS in all-purpose yards at 130.25 per game, averaging 91.0 receiving yards with a pair of touchdowns on the year.

The Southern Illinois offense has come through when it has needed to on drives sitting third in FCS with a 53.7% third-down conversion rate. SIU’s special teams are also among the nation’s best sitting first overall in punt return average (27.00) and fourth in kickoff returns (29.40).

The Southern Illinois defense is opportunistic on the field with five players recording fumble recoveries, while Vinny Pierre Jr. has two of SIU’s five interceptions on the season. SIU is currently sitting at +1.75 per game in turnover margin on the year.

Southern Illinois entered the season ranked sixth in the MVFC preseason poll as voted on by the league’s head coaches and media members. The Salukis finished the 2024 season with a 4-8 record, 2-6 in MVFC play.

Big Plays Galore

Indiana State’s offense broke loose for a trio of 50-plus yard touchdowns in their last contest back on September 20 at Montana. It marked the first time the Sycamores had achieved the feat in the Curt Mallory era as Rashad Rochelle hauled in a 51-yard touchdown reception from Keegan Patterson, while Nick Osho broke loose with fourth-quarter touchdown runs of 55 yards and 79 yards amidst a career-high 134-yard rushing effort.

Prior to the contest against the Grizzlies, the Sycamores last game with at least a 50-plus yard rushing touchdown and a 50-plus yard receiving touchdown came in the 2024 season finale. Kevin Barnett hauled in a deflected Elijah Owens pass down the right sideline and went 73 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter inside the UNI-Dome at Northern Iowa on November 23, 2024. Shen Butler-Lawson broke loose in the fourth quarter for a 68-yard touchdown run in the Sycamores’ comeback attempt before falling to the Panthers, 41-34.

The Sycamores had to go back slightly longer to find the last time a player recorded at least two 50-plus yard rushing touchdowns, dating back to JaQuan Keys’ effort at South Dakota State back on October 6, 2018. The Indiana State running back recorded 19 carries for 159 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 54-51 loss to the Jackrabbits, including touchdown runs of 62 yards (third quarter) and 57 yards (fourth quarter) among his statistical totals on the day.

Games with 50-plus yard rushing touchdown and 50-plus yard receiving touchdown under Mallory

September 20, 2025 at Montana – Rashad Rochelle (51-yard touchdown pass from Keegan Patterson), Nick Osho (55-yard touchdown run, 79-yard touchdown run)

November 23, 2024 at Northern Iowa – Kevin Barnett (73-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Owens), Shen Butler-Lawson (68-yard touchdown run).

October 15, 2022 at Youngstown State – Dakota Caton (53-yard touchdown reception from Cade Chambers), Justin Dinka (75-yard touchdown run)

Games with two 50-plus yard rushing touchdowns under Mallory

September 20, 2025, at Montana – Nick Osho (55 yards, 79 yards)

October 6, 2018, at South Dakota State – JaQuan Keys (62 yards, 57 yards)

Sycamores On the Road (2025 edition)

Indiana State football closes out a nearly 4,000-mile road trip that encompassed three states as the Sycamores travel to Carbondale, Ill. this upcoming weekend. The Sycamores’ 2025 schedule is slightly unique with Indiana State traveling to six different states on the year without any repeat ventures heading to Indiana, Montana, Southern Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota State, and Youngstown State. Overall, Indiana State will make three flights in the 2025 season and will span 8,118 total miles over the course of the year.

2025 Road Trips (Miles Traveled)

Sept. 12 – Indiana State at Indiana (113 miles)

Sept. 20 – Indiana State at Montana (3,420 miles)

Oct. 4 – Indiana State at Southern Illinois (386 miles)

Oct. 25 – Indiana State at North Dakota (1,828 miles)

Nov. 2 – Indiana State at South Dakota State (1,529 miles)

Nov. 16 – Indiana State at Youngstown State (842 miles)

2025 Indiana State Single Game On Sale Now

Indiana State single game tickets went on sale in mid-July starting at $15 for adults, $5 for kids, and group rates of $5 for 15+ attendees. Single game rates are higher for the 2025 Homecoming Game against South Dakota on October 11 with prices rising to $18 for adults, $8 for kids, and a group rate of $8.

Indiana State will employ mobile ticketing as the default option for all home games during the 2024 football season, enabling contactless entry into athletics venues. Offering greater convenience and safety, fans can access their ticket online and transfer to family and friends. Fans will also have the option to get their tickets printed for an additional $5 charge.

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INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S GOLF

SYCAMORES FINISH TIED FOR SEVENTH AT BUTLER FALL INVITATIONAL

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana State golf wrapped up their second of four tournaments this fall, tying for seventh place out of 14 teams. Indiana State shot a 909 (300-303-301) for a three-round score of +64. Highland Golf Club is a par-70 course ranging 6,040 yards.

The Sycamores nearly mirrored the team scores from 2024 (+64, 300-303-301). The difference was the team placement, this year finishing tied in seventh beating last year’s placement of 11th. Indiana State tied MVC-foe Belmont in seventh place and beat UIC by eight strokes.

Yang Tai was the lowest finisher for Indiana State, finishing in sixth place. The senior’s finish is the lowest at this tournament for Indiana State since Lauren Green and Madison Branum went five-six in the fall of 2021.

In the opening round, Tai (+8, 73-69-76) finished with three birdies on the front nine to open a stellar day-one performance, finishing the second round of 18 one-under. She parred 15 holes and used two birdies to sit tied for fifth place after the first two rounds. She followed with a consistent performance in round three to finish sixth in the tournament.

Freshman Keira Brazeau (+12, 71-77-74) also used a trio of birdies in the first 18 to sit only one-over to sit in 19th place after the opening day, pairing with Tai to be the two Sycamores sitting inside the top 20 in a field of 80-plus golfers. Her four-over third round was enough to bump her up in the standings to finish tied for 15th in the field.

Sophia Florek carded a 229 (+19, 76-76-77) to finish in the top half of the field, tying for 35th. Alana Gilbert (+25, 80-81-74) finished the tournament with a strong round three, moving her up nine spots from round two to round three. Gabby Cone finished with a score of 246 (+36, 81-81-84).

Up Next

Indiana State will head to Toledo, Ohio for the Toledo Rocket Classic on Oct. 6-7, held at the Catawba Island Club. This will be the first trip to Toledo for the Sycamores since the 2016-17 season.

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PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL

MASTODONS DROP #HLVB MATCH AT IU INDY

INDIANAPOLIS – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball team fell to IU Indianapolis on Tuesday (Sept. 30) in a Horizon League contest 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-22).

Trinity Rye was a bright spot early for the ‘Dons, going errorless over her first 18 swings with seven kills. She finished with a team-high nine kills.

The home Jaguars jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first set and never trailed in the first frame.

The Mastodons had a 15-11 lead in the second set after a kill from Haiden Means and a block from Mya Plemons and Riley Rosneck. They reached the media timeout first, but the Jaguars went on a 7-1 after the break, taking an 18-16 lead. The ‘Dons tied it back up at 18 after a block from Plemons and Avery Parris, but IU Indy had a 7-3 push over the finishing 10 points of the set to go up 2-0.

The ‘Dons had a 6-0 run early in set three to go up 11-6, but like they had all night, the Jaguars had an answer. That answer was typically freshman Jillian Tippman, who recorded 17 kills for IU Indy. The Jaguars had a 5-2 finish after the two clubs were tied at 20 to take the match.

Grace Purichia dished out 38 assists for IU Indy.

Haiden Means had a double-double of 22 assists and 10 digs for the ‘Dons.

Purdue Fort Wayne fell to 2-12, 0-3 Horizon League, while IU Indy improved to 7-8, 1-2 in the HL.

The Mastodons will host Green Bay this weekend (Oct. 3-4).

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EVANSVILLE MEN’S SOCCER

ESCUDERO EARNS FIRST MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR

ST. LOUIS – Following a three-goal week that helped Evansville to a perfect 2-0 record and a win in their first MVC match of the season, freshman Andres Escudero (San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain/IES Joan Miro) has been named MVC Player of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday. The award is Evansville’s first MVC weekly award of the season and the first career nod for Escudero.

With his team facing a 1-0 deficit in the 76th minute of Tuesday’s match against Butler, Escudero scored the equalizer in the 80th minute and the game-winner in the 86th minute, helping the Aces pull of a stunning, come from behind win. The brace was Escudero’s second in three matches, making him the only freshman in the country with multiple braces this season. 

On Friday, Escudero put the finishing touches on a dominant road over Bowling Green win to open MVC play, scoring in the 80th minute to complete a 3-0 win in a rematch of last season’s MVC final. The goal was his sixth in the last five matches, tying him with Grand Canyon’s Junior Diouf and Bryant’s Jamie Amaro for the most goals by a freshman in the country this season. Escudero’s total of six goals is the most by an Evansville freshman since 2022, when MVC Freshman of the Year Nacho Diaz Barragan scored nine.

Escudero and the Purple Aces are back in action on Saturday, hosting Western Michigan in a key conference match-up at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 PM.

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EVANSVILLE MEN’S GOLF

ROMASHKIN FINISHES IN TOP 20 AT VIRTUES INTERCOLLEGIATE

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Daniil Romashkin enjoyed his best round of the weekend as the University of Evansville men’s golf team completed the Virtues Intercollegiate.

Romashkin finished the third round with a 2-under 70 to finish in a tie for 18th place. He opened with a 78 before finishing under par in the final two rounds to finish with a final score of 219.

Freshman Chris O’Donnell was second for the Purple Aces. Highlighted by a 3-over 75 in the second round, O’Donnell tied for 65th place with a final score of 232. He completed Tuesday’s round with a 9-over 81. Luke Price finished one stroke behind O’Donnell with a 233. After posting scores of 76 and 75 on Monday, Price carded an 82 in the third round.

Jamison Ousley and Omar Khalid finished in a tie for 68th with scores of 234. Ousley rebounded from a 9-over 81 in the first round to card scores of 76 and 77 in the final 36 holes. Khalid made a drastic improvement from the first to second rounds as he lowered his scored from an 82 to a 73. He shot a 79 in the final round.

Pavel Tsar of Notre Dame was the medalist. He bested the competition by four strokes, finishing his three rounds at 13-under. His efforts helped Notre Dame take top honors in the team standings defeating Butler by 12 strokes. UE tied Mercyhurst for 11th.

A quick turnaround will see the Aces travel to Jonesboro, Ark. for the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate on Oct. 6-7.

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SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S GOLF

USI IS 14TH AFTER THREE ROUNDS OF BUTLER INVITATIONAL

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf fired its best round of the fall but placed 14th in the Butler Fall Invitational. The tournament was hosted by Butler University at the Highland Golf Club.

Day 1 (36 holes):

USI was 34 over par with a 314 in the first 18 holes of the tournament. Sophomore Fernanda Vera led three players in the 70s with a 76. Vera was followed by freshman McKenna Lowe and junior Tora Timinsky, who tied with a 79.

In the second round, USI improved by a stroke with a 313, with Timinsky rising into a tie for 27th with a one-over 71.

Day 2 (18 holes):

The Eagles fired their best round of the fall in the final 18 holes, posting a 306 with four of the five players breaking 80. Lowe and Vera led the way in the final round, both shooting a 75. 

Final Results:

USI finished the 54-holes with a 933 (314-313-306) in placing 14th in the 14-team tournament. Timinsky paced the USI players with a 229 (79-71-79) and tied for 36th, while Vera posted a 233 (80-81-75) to tie for 53rd.

NEXT UP FOR USI:

USI continues the fall season October 6-7 by playing in the Windy City Invitational at Harborside International Golf Center in Chicago, Illinois.

The 54-hole tournament includes USI, the host Chicago State University, Western Illinois University, Valparaiso University, Christian Brothers University, Eastern Illinois University, Bethune-Cookman University, Bluefield State University, and Jackson State University.

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SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S GOLF

USI TAKES 12TH DOLENC INVITATIONAL

MADISON, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Golf finished 12th in the Dolenc Invitational Tuesday afternoon in Madison, Illinois. The tournament was hosted by Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville at the Gateway National Golf Links.

Day 1 (36 holes):

USI was tied for fourth after the first round, posting a three-tournament best 279 during the first 18 holes of the tournament. The Screaming Eagles were propelled by a three-under 68 by freshman Ben Christian, a two-under 69 by graduate Sam Gargis, and a one-under 70 by senior Carter Goebel.

Christian led the way with three birdies and an eagle in the first 18 holes, while Goebel and Gargis had five birdies and four birdies, respectively.

The Eagles dropped out of the top 10 as a team during the second round, posting an eight-over 292. Christian continued to pace USI’s second 36 holes with a 70 and was tied for 13th with a two-round 138.

Day 2 (18 holes):

The Eagles completed the third round with a one-over 285, led by Goebel and junior Hunter Reynolds with identical one-under 70s. Goebel completed his round with five birdies and a pair of birdies, while Reynolds had one birdie to his one-under round.

Final Results:

The Eagles completed the three-round Dolenc Invitational with a four-over as a team, 856 (279-292-285). The University of Idaho won the tournament with a 31-under 821 (274-274-273).

Christian was USI’s top finisher, tying for 18th with a three-under 210 (68-70-72). Sophomore Chandler Ornelas followed by tying for 43rd with a 215 (71-72-72), while Gargis (69-74-73) and Goebel (70-76-70) tied for 51st with a pair of 216 tournaments.

NEXT UP FOR USI:

USI travels to Newton, Kansas, October 5-7 to continue the 2025-26 fall season by playing in Wichita State University’s Grier Jones Shocker Invitational. The tournament is being played at the Sand Creek Station Golf Course.

The Eagles finished 12th of 14 teams in the Grier Jones Shocker Invitational last year, posting an 891(305-287-299) in the 54-hole tournament. Goebel is the top returning scorer from last year’s team, posting a 232 (81-75-76) a year ago to tie for 67th. Junior Hunter Reynolds followed in 83rd with a 246 (80-86-80).

The tournament will include USI, Wichita State, SIUE, Odessa College, Drake University, University of the Incarnate Word, University of Missouri-Kansas City, South Dakota State University, University of Northern Iowa, University of South Dakota, University of St. Thomas, University of Nebraska Omaha, Indiana Hills Community College, Midland College, Hutchinson Community College, and Dodge City Community College.

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VALPO FOOTBALL

BEACONS OPEN PFL PLAY AT DEFENDING CHAMPION DRAKE

Valparaiso (1-3, 0-0 PFL)

at Drake (1-2, 0-0 PFL)

Game #5 Saturday, Oct. 4, noon CT

Drake Stadium (14,557) – Des Moines, Iowa

This Week in Valpo Football: The Valparaiso University football team will be back in action following a bye week as the Beacons begin Pioneer Football League play on Saturday at Drake. After playing scholarship, FCS competition each of the last two games, the Beacons will continue a challenging part of the schedule by beginning league play on the road against the defending PFL champions.

Previously: The Beacons fell 58-7 at No. 16/17 North Dakota in the nonconference finale in Grand Forks, N.D. Micah Mackay had his first career touchdown reception on a 67-yard grab, while Micah Markley recorded a team-high 13 tackles. Rowan Keefe went 8-of-15 through the air for 111 yards and a touchdown. Special teams difficulties plagued the Beacons as they had two punts blocked and allowed a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Glancing Ahead: Valpo will play the first PFL home game of the season and play on Brown Field for the first time in five weeks when Dayton comes to town on Oct. 11. It’s Grit and Grill Day for Valpo Athletics with a men’s basketball open practice taking place at 11 a.m., a free tailgate presented by Lombardi’s Sausage Company and Valpo men’s basketball at noon and the Beacons and Flyers on the gridiron at 1 p.m.

Series Notes: Valpo is 5-28 all-time against Drake, including a 27-3 setback last season. Three of the last five matchups have been one-score games, including Valpo’s 20-14 setback in 2023 in the team’s most recent trip to Des Moines. Valpo won in Des Moines twice in the calendar year of 2021, but those are the only two road wins for the Beacons in the series as they are 2-14 all-time in Des Moines. 

Following the Beacons: All 12 games this season will be streamed nationally, with 10 on ESPN+, one on Midco Sports Plus (at St. Thomas) and one on FloSports (at Butler). Saturday’s game will air on ESPN+ with Michael Admire (play-by-play) and Sage Rosenfels (analyst). If the hometown call is what you seek, the game will also air on WVUR, 95.1 FM Valparaiso with Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Brandon Vickrey (analyst) calling the action. For in-game updates, follow @valpoufootball on X. Links to live video and stats can be found on ValpoAthletics.com.

Valpo in PFL Openers

The Beacons will kick off Pioneer Football League play with this week’s game at Drake.

Valpo is seeking its first league-opening victory since starting the 2022 campaign with a 28-21 win over San Diego. The Beacons fell in the league opener vs. Marist in 2023 and at Morehead State in 2024.

The Beacons did start conference play on the right foot in three of the last five years, getting off to 1-0 starts in Spring 2021, Fall 2021 and 2022.

Scouting the Bulldogs

Went 8-3 overall and 7-1 in PFL play last season, earning the league title and an FCS Playoff appearance.

Also won the league in 2023, so Saturday’s PFL opener will mark the beginning of Drake’s pursuit for a third straight league title.

Picked to finish second behind San Diego in this year’s PFL Preseason Poll.

Also coming off a bye week after a loss in the Dakotas, falling 42-21 at No. 15 South Dakota on Sept. 2.

Like Valpo, played back-to-back games against scholarship competition, losing 37-21 at No. 2 South Dakota State on Sept. 13 after opening the season with a 41-7 win over Upper Iowa.

Under the direction of first-year head coach Joe Woodley, who spent 17 years across town at Grand View University including six seasons as the head coach for the NAIA powerhouse.

Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

Redshirt senior De’Andre Wilborn earned a high honor on Sept. 24 as he was named a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award presented by the National Football Foundation.

Celebrating its 36th year, the Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. He is one of 44 semifinalists from FCS programs, one of three from the Pioneer Football League and one of 177 overall.

Wilborn, who earned NFF Hampshire Honor Society recognition in 2025, is pursuing a master’s degree in sports administration at Valpo after graduating from Georgetown in December 2023 with a degree in government and minor in sociology. Wilborn was a member of the Patriot League academic honor roll from 2021-2023 before earning a place on the Pioneer Football League academic honor roll in 2024.

A Valpo football team leader, Wilborn’s off-the-field endeavors include working as part of the Valpo Athletics gameday staff, completing an internship with Jason Friedman running for Congress Illinois 7th District in summer 2025 and participating in “Dressed for School Valparaiso.” While at Georgetown, he was a member of Black Student-Athlete Coalition and a FlagStar football coach/intern from 2020-2023, teaching youth and low-income students how to play football.

The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 36th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

Notes Wrapping Up Week 4: No. 16/17 North Dakota 58, Valpo 7

Micah Mackay broke two tackles as part of a 67-yard touchdown reception, the first of his career. He had reached the endzone once previously on a return. His 67-yard grab was the longest play from scrimmage during the nonconference portion of the season for the Brown & Gold.

Micah Markley was the team’s leading tackler with 13 stops including six solos, a career best for the true freshman. Nic Lendino chipped in six tackles.

Quarterback Rowan Keefe passed for 111 yards on 8-of-15 through the air.

Devin Yeats had by far his biggest game of the season, making four catches for 22 yards after entering the game with one catch over the first three weeks.

Ricketti Recognized

Redshirt freshman Ryan Ricketti was recognized for his big day on special teams in the team’s game at FCS, scholarship foe Western Illinois on Sept. 13. 

While the Pioneer Football League does not officially recognize a Freshman of the Week, he was tabbed the league’s top freshman for Week 3 and nominated by the league office for national Freshman of the Week honors. In addition, Ricketti was named Honorable Mention for FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week by STATS Perform.

Ricketti became the first FCS player with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown this season, part of a day where he had 149 kickoff return yards on three returns in the Week 3 game at FCS scholarship opponent Western Illinois. Ricketti became just the third Division-I player (FBS and FCS) in the nation with a 100-yard kick return touchdown this season, joining Virginia’s Cam Ross and Kent State’s De’Realyst Clark. He became the first Valpo player with a kickoff return touchdown since Ollie Reese on Oct. 12, 2019 vs. Dayton (95 yards).

This was Valpo’s longest kickoff return in over two decades. Currently, the longest possible credited kickoff return under NCAA rules is 100 yards. The Valpo record is 103 by Don Koehm on Nov. 8, 1947 vs. Wheaton. Through Week 3, Ricketti led the nation with a kickoff return average of 49.2.  

To the House

Thanks to Frank Bartell’s blocked punt return for a touchdown vs. Virginia Lynchburg and Ryan Ricketti’s kickoff return for a touchdown at Western Illinois, the Beacons have taken both a kickoff and a punt to the house this season.

Through Week 3, only 11 FCS teams nationally had a punt return touchdown this season, and only 12 had kickoff return touchdowns.

Valpo, Chattanooga and Wofford were the only programs nationally in FCS with a kickoff and punt return touchdown this season that early in the season.

Getting Off the Field

Valpo opponents are just 15-of-52 on third down this season, good for just 28.8 percent.

The Beacons rank 13th nationally in FCS in third-down defense, behind only Sacred Heart, Houston Christian, North Dakota State and UTRGV.

Third-down defense was also a strength of Marietta’s last season, when current Valpo head coach Andy Waddle and defensive coordinator Zach Feltrop helped the Pioneers lead the NCAA Division-III nation in that statistical category at .250.

Sack Superlatives

Through Week 5, Valpo ranks 17th in the FCS nation in sacks per game at 2.75 and in total sacks with 11. The Beacons are the PFL leaders in tackles for loss per game at 7.5, an average that ranks 10th nationally.

Individually, Gabriel Batres ranks second in the PFL at 0.75 sacks per game.

Max Samuel is 26th in the nation and second in the PFL in tackles for loss per game at 1.38.

On the other side of the ball, Valpo has favorable numbers in terms of sacks as well. The Beacons are sixth nationally in fewest sacks per game at 0.75, the best in the PFL. 

Other Notes Wrapping Up Week 3: Western Illinois 51, Valpo 30

Valpo’s 30 points marked the program’s highest total against an FCS, scholarship opponent since a 45-40 loss to Duquesne on Sept. 9, 2017.

The game was far more competitive than Valpo’s previous two visits to Western Illinois, 45-0 and 45-6 losses.

O.C. Nurse had his first interception in a Valpo uniform and the fourth of his collegiate career, celebrating his birthday in style. Jason Salman’s pick was his first at Valpo and the second of his collegiate career.

Luke Scoma’s field goal improved him to 3-for-3 this season.

Chris Gundy’s touchdown catch was the third of his career and first this season.

Michael Mansaray’s touchdown run was his 12th at Valpo and the 16th of his collegiate career. McNeely’s was his third at Valpo and the fifth of his collegiate career.

Valpo posted 315 yards of total offense, 191 through the air and 124 on the ground.

QB Caron Tyler went 10-of-16 passing for 137 yards while rushing for a team-high 79 yards.

Gundy had five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Ryan Ricketti had four grabs for 50 yards.

Redshirt freshman Anthony Feltrinelli secured a team-high eight tackles, while freshman Micah Markley tallied seven. Max Samuel had another big game, recording six stops including a sack.

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VALPO MEN’S GOLF

POLITZA LEADS BEACONS ON FINAL DAY IN TEXAS

Sophomore Rob Politza (Lemont, Ill. / Lemont Township) posted the team’s top score as the Valparaiso University men’s golf team played the final 18 holes of Rice’s Bayou City Collegiate Classic, which wrapped up on Tuesday at the par-72, 7184-yard Westwood Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

How It Happened

Politza was the lone Beacon to go par or better on Tuesday, posting a 72, his second straight round of even par. His 221 (+5) was second on the team and tied for 31st on the player leaderboard. The Illinois native, who started Monday’s round on the back nine, hit a hot streak in the middle of the front nine, draining birdies on three straight holes from 4-6. He stroked a 2-under 34 on the front nine to finish out the tournament.

Sophomore Rodrigo Garcia Teruel (Puebla, Mexico / Modern Academy) owned the team’s top tournament score at 220 (+4, t-26) over 54 holes. He finished out the tourney with a 75 (+3) in Round 3, solidifying

Each of the team’s top three scorers were freshmen or sophomores, including rookie Charlie Davenport (Clarendon Hills, Ill. / Benet Academy), who posted a 226 including a 76 in the final round.

The Beacons finished 10th of 14 as a team with a 54-hole score of 885 including a 299 on Tuesday. Host Rice won the event at 839 with Houston’s Grant Doggett taking medalist honors with a 15-under 201.

Up Next

Valpo individuals will take part in the Golfweek “Put Me In Coach” Invite hosted by Ball State at Delaware Country Club in Muncie, Ind. next week beginning on Monday, Oct. 6.

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MARIAN WOMEN’S GOLF

NO. 4 MARIAN WINS BUTLER FALL INVITE AGAINST NCAA DI FIELD

INDIANAPOLIS – Playing against a loaded field of NCAA DI women’s golf teams, the fourth-ranked Marian Knights finished a three-round victory on Tuesday in the Butler Fall Invite. Marian’s win comes one season after finishing as the runner-up in the event. Both Jordan Adam and Keara Eder were named to the all-tournament team.

Marian was the lone NAIA school playing in the Butler Fall Invite, and throughout three rounds of play, the Knights dominated, taking the lead in the tournament during the second round of play on Monday. Marian shot a 291 in the first round of the tournament, sitting two shots behind Akron and one behind the hosts Butler. In the second round, Marian flipped the tournament in their favor, carding an even-par 280 as a team, building a 10-stroke lead over the Bulldogs and Zips. Marian finished strong on Tuesday and held off  Akron’s strong day, with the Knights carding a 298 to bring the total to 869, six strokes better than the Zips.

Marian’s win is the first in their 12-year history of entering in the annual tournament hosted by the Bulldogs, as they finished 13-0 for the two days against a field of NCAA DI teams hailing from the Horizon League, Atlantic-10, Atlantic Sun, Ohio Valley, Missouri Valley, Sun-Belt, MAC, and Big East Conferences. Akron finished as the runner-up with their 875 total, while Butler finished third with its 888 total.

Individually, Jordan Adam finished three-over par for the tournament, scoring a 71 and 70 in rounds one and two, before closing the week with a 72 in round three. Adam’s 213 earned her third overall on the individual leaderboard, marking her highest finish of the young season. Adam made the All-Tournament Team, as did Keara Eder, who finished fifth individually. Eder shot a 72 in round one and 69 in round two, before ending the week with a 75. Eder scored a 216 overall for the three rounds.

Emma Weiler finished 13th overall in the tournament, scoring a 221 for three rounds. Weiler had round scores of 74, 70, and 77 in the tournament. Maria Kennard finished fifth overall, scoring a 222 as she had round scores of 74, 71, and 77. Hailey Kirkland finished strong and gained 16 spots overall on the final day of the event, placing 30th with a 227 total. Kirkland finished with scores of 76, 77, and 74.

Playing as the individual for Marian was Addyson Weiler, with the freshman scoring a 49th place finish. Weiler had round scores of 73, 79, and 79 in her 231 total.

Marian will next play in the Crossroads League Fall Preview, with the Knights hosting the event at Harrison Lake GC on October 13 and 14.

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+++SMALL INDIANA COLLEGE SPORTS WEB SITES+++

UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/

MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

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+++SPORTS EXTRA+++

+++TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY+++

_____

Oct. 1

1903 — The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-3 in the first World Series game. Jimmy Sebring hit the first series home run. Deacon Phillippe was the winning pitcher and Cy Young the loser.

1932 — Babe Ruth, as legend has it, called his home run against Chicago’s Charlie Root in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the World Series, won by the New York Yankees 7-5 at Wrigley Field. Ruth and Lou Gehrig each hit two homers for the Yankees.

1946 — For the first time in major league history, a playoff series to determine a league’s championship was played between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Cardinals won the first game 4-2, with Howie Pollet holding the Dodgers to two hits — a homer and RBI single by Howie Schultz.

1950 — The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL pennant with a 4-1 10-inning victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers on the season’s last day. Dick Sisler’s three-run homer off Don Newcombe in the top of the 10th inning came after outfielder Richie Ashburn saved the game in the ninth.

1961 — Roger Maris hit his 61st home run against Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The homer eclipsed Babe Ruth’s 34-year-old single-season home run record. The Yankees won 1-0.

1967 — The Boston Red Sox won the American League pennant with a 5-3 win over the Twins on the final day of the season. Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski went 4-for-4 and finished with 44 home runs, 121 RBIs and a .326 average to win the Triple Crown.

1973 — The New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 6-1 to win the National League East. It was the first game of a scheduled make-up doubleheader at Wrigley Field, a day after the regular season ended. The Mets, 11 1/2 games behind and in last place on Aug. 5, won their 82nd game, the lowest number of victories to win a title.

1978 — The Cleveland Indians beat the New York Yankees 9-2 on the last day of the season to force a one-game playoff between the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox won their eighth straight game with a 5-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

1988 — Tony Gwynn went 2-for-3 to raise his league-leading batting average to .313 but hurt his hand in a 6-3 victory over the Houston Astros. Gwynn is the first NL batting champion to win the title with an average below .320. The previous low was Larry Doyle’s .320 in 1915.

2000 — Detroit’s Shane Halter became the fourth major leaguer to play all nine positions in a game. He capped his adventure by scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Tigers over Minnesota 12-11.

2004 — Ichiro Suzuki set the major league record for hits in a season. He broke George Sisler’s 84-year-old mark with two early singles, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 8-3. Sisler set the hits record of 257 in 1920 with the St. Louis Browns over a 154-game schedule. Suzuki broke it in the Mariners’ 160th game.

2007 — Matt Holliday and the Colorado Rockies scored on Jamey Carroll’s shallow fly, capping a three-run rally in the 13th inning against Trevor Hoffman. He led the Rockies past the San Diego Padres 9-8 in a tiebreaker for the NL wild card.

2018 — Lorenzo Cain hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning, Christian Yelich had three more hits, sending the Milwaukee Brewers to their first NL Central title since 2011 by downing the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in a tiebreaker game. Yelich won the NL batting title with a .326 average. He fell one home run and one RBI short of what would’ve been the NL’s first Triple Crown since Joe Medwick in 1937.

2022 — The Dodgers become only the third team in the history of the National League (and seventh in the majors) to win 110 games in a season with a 6 – 4 win over the Rockies. Only the 1906 Cubs and 1909 Pirates have preceded them in the senior circuit.

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Oct. 2

1908 — Addie Joss of the Cleveland Indians pitched a perfect game, defeating the Chicago White Sox, 1-0.

1916 — Grover Alexander pitched a 2-0 three-hitter against the Boston Braves for his 16th shutout and 33rd victory of the season.

1920 — The only tripleheader in this century was played, with the Cincinnati Reds defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first two games. The Pirates won the nightcap, which was called after six innings because of darkness.

1938 — Bob Feller struck out 18 Detroit Tigers to set a single-game record that stood until Steve Carlton broke it in 1969.

1968 — Bob Gibson set a World Series record by striking out 17 Detroit Tigers in Game 1.

1978 — In a one-game playoff for the AL East title, Bucky Dent hit a three-run homer off Mike Torrez to lead the New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

1986 — Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets became the first pitcher in baseball to strike out 200 batters in each of his first three seasons as he fanned seven en route to an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1991 — The Toronto Blue Jays clinched the American League East title and became the first team in sports history to draw four million fans in one season.

1995 — The Seattle Mariners, behind Randy Johnson’s three-hitter, beat California 9-1 in a one-game playoff for the AL West title.

2001 — Sammy Sosa, Chicago Cube, becomes the first player in MLB history to total 60 home runs in three seasons.

2005 — Roy Oswalt got his 20th win to lead the Houston Astros over the Chicago Cubs 6-4, clinching the NL wild-card berth and capping a historic comeback. Houston started the season 15-30 and became the first team since the 1914 Boston Braves to make the postseason after falling 15 games under .500.

2009 — B.J. Upton became the first player in Tampa Bay history to hit for the cycle. He went 5 for 5 with a career-high six RBIs in a 13-4 win over the New York Yankees.

2013 — Tampa Bay posted another must-have win on the road, beating the Cleveland Indians 4-0 in the AL wild-card game. The Rays playing in their third city over four days advanced to the best-of-five division series.

2016 — Baltimore’s Matt Wieters homered from both sides of the plate and Kevin Gausman gave the Orioles a clutch pitching performance to beat the New York Yankees 5-2 and snag a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season.

2018 — Tony Wolters hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the 13th inning, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 in an epic NL wild-card game.

+++TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY+++

Oct. 1

1903 — The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Pilgrims 7-3 in the first World Series game. Jimmy Sebring hits the first Series homer, Deacon Phillippe is the winning pitcher and Cy Young the loser.

1932 — Babe Ruth made his legendary “call” as he points to center field before hitting a home run into the Wrigley Field bleachers in the 5th inning of Game 3 of the World Series. Yankees go on to win, 7-5.

1945 — World heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis is discharged from US army after being awarded the Legion of Merit.

1961 — Roger Maris hits his 61st home run of the season, against Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The blow gives New York a 1-0 victory and eclipses Babe Ruth’s 34-year-old single-season home run record.

1967 — Richard Petty continues phenomenal NASCAR winning streak by taking the Wilkes 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway; unprecedented 10th consecutive victory.

1975 — In the “Thrilla in Manila,” Muhammad Ali beats Joe Frazier in 14 rounds to retain his world heavyweight title.

1977 — 75,646 fans come to the Meadowlands to see soccer great Pele play his farewell game. Pele plays the first half with the New York Cosmos and the second half with his former team, Santos of Brazil.

1988 — Flamboyant American sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner wins her third gold medal of the Seoul Olympics anchoring the victorious US 4 x 100m relay team.

1988 — Steffi Graf beats Gabriela Sabatini 6-3, 6-3 to win the women’s singles tennis gold medal at the Seoul Olympics; clinches first and only Golden Slam in history (Grand Slam & Olympics).

1993 — In his first World Boxing Council heavyweight title defense Lennox Lewis beats fellow Londoner Frank Bruno by TKO in 7 at the National Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

1997 — Kevin Garnett agrees to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves on the richest long-term contract in professional sports history, a six-year deal worth more than $125 million.

1999 — In a blockbuster NBA trade, the Houston Rockets move All Star forward Scottie Pippen to Portland Trail Blazers for Kelvin Cato, Stacey Augmon, Walt Williams, Carlos Rogers, Ed Gray and Brian Shaw.

2000 — NBA stars Ray Allen and Vince Carter each score 13 points as the U.S. beats France 85-75 to win the men’s basketball gold medal at the Sydney Olympics.

2000 — United States wins the most medals (97), and the most gold medals (40) in Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Australia.

2004 — Ichiro Suzuki sets the major league record for hits in a season, breaking George Sisler’s 84-year-old mark with a pair of early singles as the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 8-3. Sisler set the hits record of 257 in 1920 with the St. Louis Browns over a 154-game schedule. Suzuki breaks it in the Mariners’ 160th game of the year.

2006 — Tiger Woods matches his longest PGA Tour winning streak of six at the American Express Championship. Woods finishes with a 4-under 67 for an eight-shot victory. It’s also his eighth victory of the year, making him the first player in PGA Tour history to win at least eight times in three seasons.

2011 — Tyler Wilson throws for a school-record 510 yards and Jarius Wright catches 13 passes for a school-record 281 yards as Arkansas turns an 18-point halftime deficit into a 42-38 victory over Texas A&M.

2017 — Frankie Dettori wins an unprecedented fifth Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as Enable caps a memorable season. Enable, the 10-11 favorite, leads for most of Europe’s richest horse race to claim her fifth consecutive victory after wins in the Epsom Oaks, the Irish Oaks, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks. The filly wins by 2 1/2 lengths over Cloth Of Stars.

2017 — Houston’s Deshaun Watson becomes the first rookie to throw four touchdowns and run for another one, since Fran Tarkenton in 1961 and tied an NFL record for most TDs by a rookie quarterback in Houston’s 57-14 victory.

2017 — Todd Gurley scores the go-ahead touchdown on a 53-yard catch-and-run, and Greg Zuerlein kicks a career-high seven field goals to lead the Los Angeles Rams to a 35-30 win over Dallas.

2017 — Former NFL star O.J. Simpson is released from Nevada’s Lovelock Prison after less than 9 years of detention of his 33 year sentence for armed robbery and kidnapping.

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Oct. 2

1906 — Canadian world heavyweight boxing champion Tommy Burns KOs American challenger ‘Fireman’ Jim Flynn in 15 rounds to retain his title in Los Angeles, California.

1950 — Jim Hardy throws six touchdown passes, including five to Bob Shaw, as the Chicago Cardinals pound the Baltimore Colts 55-13.

1969 — Seattle Pilots’ last game in Seattle; crash to 98th season loss, 3-1 to Oakland in front of just 5,473; move to Milwaukee as the Brewers next season.

1970 — Fourteen members of the Wichita State football team are killed in a plane crash in the Rocky Mountains.

1980 — Larry Holmes registers a technical knockout in the 11th round against Muhammad Ali to win the world heavyweight title in Las Vegas.

1983 — The Green Bay Packers score 49 points in the first half, including 35 in the second quarter, in a 55-14 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1988 — Future world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, representing Canada, wins super-heavyweight gold medal at the Seoul Olympics; beats American Riddick Bowe by 2nd round TKO.

1991 — Steffi Graf becomes the youngest woman to win 500 matches as a professional when she beats Petra Langrova of Czechoslovakia 6-0, 6-1 in the Leipzig International Tournament.

1993 — In the first all-British world heavyweight title fight, Lennox Lewis retains his WBC heavyweight title with a seven-round knockout of Frank Bruno in Cardiff, Wales.

1993 — California rallies from a 30-0 deficit to beat Oregon 42-41. Dave Barr throws three second-half touchdowns, including a 26-yarder to Iheanyi Uwaezuoke with 1:17 left in the game.

1994 — North Carolina’s 92-game winning streak in women’s soccer ends with a scoreless tie in overtime against Notre Dame.

1994 — Don Shula’s Miami Dolphins beat son Dave’s Cincinnati Bengals 23-7 in the first meeting between father and son coaches in professional sports.

2001 — Sammy Sosa becomes the first player in major league history with three 60-homer seasons, but the Reds hold on for a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Sosa’s solo shot comes in the first inning.

2004 — Rice and San Jose State play in the highest-scoring regulation game in Division I-A history, with the Spartans winning 70-63. The 133 points surpass the total from Middle Tennessee’s 70-58 victory over Idaho on Oct. 6, 2001. The schools combine for 19 touchdowns to break the Division I-A record of 18.

2004 — Jeff Kent becomes all-time home run leader for MLB 2nd basemen when he hits 2 in Astros’ 9-3 win v Rockies; 302 overall HR to break Ryne Sandberg’s major league record established in 1997.

2004 — Montreal Expos earn the last win in the franchise’s MLB history, beating New York Mets, 6 – 3 at Shea Stadium; Brad Wilkerson hits the Expos’ final home run in 9th inning, his 32nd of the year.

2006 — Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is given a five-game suspension — the longest for on-field behavior in NFL history — for stomping on Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode’s head and kicking him in the face.

2009 — Ninth-grader Alexis Thompson shoots a 3-under 69 for a share of the lead with top-ranked Lorena Ochoa and three others after the second round of the Navistar LPGA Classic.

2011 — Dallas has its largest lead blown in a loss in franchise history, frittering away a 24-point third-quarter cushion in a 34-30 loss to Detroit. The Lions turned a 20-point halftime deficit into an overtime win at Minnesota the previous week.

2016 — The United States win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008. Ryan Moore two-putts on No. 18 for a 1-up victory over Lee Westwood, giving the Americans a 15-10 lead that seals the win over Europe. The 17-11 victory over Europe is their biggest rout in 35 years at the Ryder Cup.

2016 — Atlanta’s Matt Ryan passes for 503 yards and four touchdowns, while wide receiver Julio Jones has 12 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown in Atlanta’s 48-33 win over Carolina.

2016 — Veteran broadcaster Vin Scully called his final LA Dodgers game after a record 67 MLB Seasons.

_____                                                                                                                                                   

+++TV SPORTS+++

(ALL TIMES EASTERN)
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND/OR BLACKOUTS
Wednesday, Oct. 1

AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL (WOMEN’S)

5 a.m. (Thursday)

FS2 — AFL: Fremantle at Hawthorn

COLLEGE SOCCER (MEN’S)

10 p.m.

ESPNU — UC Davis at Cal Poly

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)

7 p.m.

ACCN — Duke at North Carolina

SECN — Texas A&M at South Carolina

7:30 p.m.

BTN — Minnesota at Michigan

GOLF

7 p.m.

GOLF — LPGA Tour: The LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei, First Round, Hoakalei Country Club, Oahu, Hawaii

MLB BASEBALL

1 p.m.

ESPN — A.L. Wild Card: Detroit at Cleveland, Game 2

3 p.m.

ABC — N.L. Wild Card: San Diego at Chicago Cubs, Game 2

6 p.m.

ESPN — A.L. Wild Card: Boston at N.Y. Yankees, Game 2

9 p.m.

ESPN — N.L. Wild Card: Cincinnati at L.A. Dodgers, Game 2

NHL HOCKEY

9 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: Colorado at Vegas

SOCCER (MEN’S)

2:55 p.m.

CBSSN — UEFA Champions League: Athletic Bilbao at Borussia Dortmund

3:45 p.m.

FS2 — 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup Group Stage: Spain vs. Mexico, Group C, Nunoa, Chile

6:45 p.m.

FS2 — 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup Group Stage: Argentina vs. Australia, Group D, Valparaiso, Chile

6:55 p.m.

FS1 — 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup Group Stage: Brazil vs. Morocco, Group C, Nunoa, Chile

8 p.m.

CBSSN — U.S. Open Cup: Nashville at Austin, Final

10 p.m.

FS2 — Canadian Championship: Vancouver FC at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Final

10:30 p.m.

CBSSN — USL Championship: Orange County at Sacramento

TENNIS

6 a.m.

TENNIS — Beijing-ATP Final, WTA Round of 16; Shanghai-ATP 1st Round

12:30 a.m. (Thursday)

TENNIS — Beijing-WTA Quarterfinal 1 & 2; Shanghai-ATP 1st Round

6 a.m. (Thursday)

TENNIS — Beijing-WTA Quarterfinal 1 & 2; Shanghai-ATP 1st Round